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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 (MP7923)
David Sterling Carteaux, a 35-year-old man from San Diego, California, was last seen on October 30, 1995. He had set out alone on a sailing trip, but his plans were unclear, as he had given conflicting information to his friends. On November 21, 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard discovered his vessel adrift approximately 500 miles off the coast of Mexico. Although the boat was intact and documents on board confirmed it belonged to Carteaux, he was nowhere to be found. Despite extensive searches, no body or evidence was located in the vicinity of the drifting boat.

Further investigation revealed that Carteaux had closed his post office box shortly before his disappearance, leaving no forwarding address. There was no indication of where he might have gone, and the American Consulate in Mexico was unable to find any John Doe that matched his description. The case remains unsolved, with Carteaux's whereabouts still unknown.

Last Seen: Oct 30, 1995

Links to Additional Sources (0)

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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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP57048 • Found Oct 23, 1996
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–35 vs 35
Race 100%White
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'9" vs 5'7"–5'11"
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
82%Moderate
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP56918 • Found Oct 2, 1997
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away, same county
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'10" vs 5'7"–5'11"
81%Moderate
John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP133256
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP133256 • Found Nov 3, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 29 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'7"–5'11"
Weight 88%129 lb vs 155–165 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
80%Moderate
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP55888 • Found Nov 26, 2003
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'7" vs 5'7"–5'11"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Salton City, California
UP15289 • Found Jul 26, 1997
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 80%81 mi away, same state
TimingFound 21 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'7"–5'11"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 155–165 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP122559
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP122559 • Found May 13, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 60–65 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 29 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"–5'11"
Weight 100%139 lb vs 155–165 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Menifee, California
UP100667 • Found Sep 9, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%68 mi away, same state
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'7"–5'11"
Weight 100%151 lb vs 155–165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP55246 • Found Aug 8, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4"–5'6" vs 5'7"–5'11"
79%Possible
John Doe — San Diego, California
UP56199 • Found May 3, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%6'1" vs 5'7"–5'11"
Weight 100%162–182 lb vs 155–165 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
79%Possible
John Doe — Jacumba, California
UP56631 • Found Jun 3, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%57 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11"–6'2" vs 5'7"–5'11"

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.