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

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP7387) and 8 other sources
In the autumn of 1996, in the small community of St. Anne, Illinois, 47-year-old Daniel L. Fraher was leading a life that was by all accounts unremarkable, yet on the cusp of an inexplicable turn. Known to his family and community, Daniel was a man with brown hair and brown eyes, standing at 5 feet 10 inches and weighing around 165 pounds. The day he was last seen, November 26, 1996, he was dressed for the fall weather in a blue coat, jeans, and a gray stocking hat. That evening, he was at his place of work, the Kankakee Nursery, located just south of Aroma Park. He reportedly left his job with the simple intention of buying a soda. This seemingly mundane errand would become the last known action of Daniel Fraher before he vanished without a trace.

The hours turned into days, and the lack of communication from Daniel grew into a serious cause for concern. It was highly uncharacteristic for him to be out of touch with his loved ones. An investigation into his disappearance was launched by the Kankakee County Sheriff's Department. A perplexing discovery was made at his business; both his work and personal vehicles were found abandoned. Adding to the mystery, his wallet, containing cash, was found inside one of the vehicles. This detail suggested that robbery was not a likely motive for his disappearance and deepened the questions surrounding the circumstances of him going missing. The man who had simply gone out for a beverage had left behind the essential items of his daily life, signaling that his departure was neither planned nor voluntary.

Decades have passed since Daniel Fraher was last seen, and his case has grown cold, leaving his family with unanswered questions. Despite the passage of time, the investigation remains open, with his case listed in national databases for missing persons, including NamUs, under the case number MP7387. DNA samples have been provided by his children and sister to aid in identification should any unknown remains be discovered. The Kankakee County Sheriff's Department still lists Detective Brady Bertrand as the contact person for any information regarding this case. The disappearance of Daniel L. Fraher is a poignant reminder of the enduring pain and uncertainty that families of the missing face, as they continue to hope for answers and closure in a case that has been fraught with ambiguity from the very beginning.

Last Seen: Nov 26, 1996

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.

82%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP8357 • Found Oct 8, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 47 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP129247 • Found Oct 11, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 47 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%59 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 92%188 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP129132 • Found Oct 3, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 47 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%59 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8"–6'1" vs 5'10"
79%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP122457
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP122457 • Found Feb 11, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–55 vs 47 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%62 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 months after last seen
Height 36%5'5" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%151 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP11512
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP11512 • Found May 2, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 47 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%59 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%149 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Summit, Illinois - unidentified case UP8588
John Doe — Summit, Illinois
UP8588 • Found Jan 3, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 47 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%53 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 96%185 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP78041
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP78041 • Found Oct 8, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 47 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%59 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 68%5'7" vs 5'10"
Weight 92%142 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP129109
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP129109 • Found Apr 15, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 47 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%68 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%162 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP123615
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP123615 • Found May 6, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 45–65 vs 47 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%64 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 months after last seen
Height 68%5'7" vs 5'10"
Weight 98%147 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP129078 • Found Jun 30, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 47
Race 100%White
Location 87%59 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 months after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
Weight 57%116 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 50%Red vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

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.