Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP7242) and 6 other sources
On a late autumn day, November 23, 1997, 30-year-old Brian Perlish was seen for the last time leaving his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes, standing at 5'6' and weighing around 140 pounds. Since the day he vanished, he has not been seen or heard from again, leaving behind a void of information and a family searching for answers. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are sparse, with very few details available to the public or investigators.

Before he went missing, Brian had shown an interest in music and academics. In his younger years, he was quoted in a local newspaper for a school project involving the mathematical principles of pizza sizes. A couple of years later, while a freshman at Temple University, he was mentioned in another article in the context of a university employee strike, where it was noted that he was a music major. Public records indicate that in the years leading up to his disappearance, he had lived in various locations, including Nashville, Tennessee; Riverton, New Jersey; Yardley, Pennsylvania; and Fort Meade, Maryland, before returning to Philadelphia.

The investigation into Brian Perlish's disappearance is handled by the Philadelphia Police Department. Despite the passage of time, the case remains open, though it is considered cold. Information about what he was wearing or his state of mind on the day he went missing has not been publicly released. His case is documented in national databases for missing persons, a silent testament to a life interrupted. In 2015, Brian's father passed away, and Brian was listed among his surviving children in the death notice, a poignant acknowledgment of his continued absence. The lack of available information has made it difficult for both law enforcement and his family to find any sense of closure. The case of Brian Perlish is an overview of a man who seemingly vanished without a trace, leaving behind only fragmented glimpses of his life and a profound sense of loss for those who knew him.

Last Seen: Nov 23, 1997

Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

84%Moderate
John Doe — Kennett Township, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP16548
John Doe — Kennett Township, Pennsylvania
UP16548 • Found Sep 29, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–30 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%28 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP6156
John Doe — New York, New York
UP6156 • Found Jan 23, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 30
Race 100%White
Location 80%84 mi away
TimingFound 2 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 99%155 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Camden, New Jersey - unidentified case UP15642
John Doe — Camden, New Jersey
UP15642 • Found Dec 16, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%3 mi away
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 91%120 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
81%Moderate
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP70353 • Found May 7, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 83%166 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — New Brunswick, New Jersey - unidentified case UP6563
John Doe — New Brunswick, New Jersey
UP6563 • Found Jan 4, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–48 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%53 mi away
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 99%155 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP4883 • Found Sep 29, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%8 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 84%115 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
81%Moderate
John Doe — Millstone Township, New Jersey
UP1449 • Found Jun 19, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%43 mi away
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%132 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
81%Moderate
John Doe — Takoma Park, Maryland - unidentified case UP970
John Doe — Takoma Park, Maryland
UP970 • Found Jan 26, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 71%119 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%134 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP6024
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP6024 • Found Feb 25, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 78%90 mi away
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%143 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP99882 • Found Jan 28, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 25 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 96%123 lb vs 140 lb

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.