Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 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 (MP6183) and 10 other sources
In the late summer of 1989, a young man named Marti Shawn Hetzell vanished from the Orchards area of Washington. Eighteen years old at the time, Marti was last seen on August 25, 1989. Originally from Vancouver, Washington, where he lived in the 7700 block of Northeast 110th Street, he had been staying with a friend in Orchards when he disappeared. Marti was a Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes. A notable and distinctive physical characteristic is that he was missing the tips of his left middle and index fingers. What he was wearing on the day he went missing is unknown to law enforcement.

Five days after he was last seen, Marti's mother filed a missing person report, officially launching an investigation into his whereabouts. Despite the passage of time, very few details about the circumstances of his disappearance have ever come to light. Investigators have stated there is no indication of foul play connected to his case. One theory is that Marti may have left of his own accord, though the specifics to support this are not publicly available. He has not been seen or heard from since that day in August.

The Clark County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency investigating Marti's disappearance, a case that has now remained unsolved for decades. His case is listed among the county's cold cases, a silent testament to a family's long and unanswered questions. Over the years, age-progressed photos have been created and circulated to show what Marti might look like as he aged. The lack of evidence and leads has left his family without closure, and the official narrative remains that he vanished without a trace, leaving behind a mystery that endures in the Pacific Northwest.

Last Seen: Aug 25, 1989

Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

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.

81%Moderate
John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP11914
John Doe — Portland, Oregon
UP11914 • Found Feb 16, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–25 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 99%13 mi away
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'5"
Weight 74%160 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP9996
John Doe — Portland, Oregon
UP9996 • Found Feb 19, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 94%Est. 25–35 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 99%13 mi away
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 68%5'2" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%130 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP11901
John Doe — Portland, Oregon
UP11901 • Found Oct 15, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 48%Est. 25–40 vs 18 when missing
Race 100%Hispanic
Location 99%13 mi away
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%130 lb vs 130 lb
Hair 60%Black 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.