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Daniel Turpin Missing Person Case

Last seen in Lakewood, Washington on Jul 28, 1989

Victim Details

Jun 19, 2010

May 31, 2023

Daniel

Turpin

63

26

60 inches

70 inches

160 lbs

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jul 28, 1989

Lakewood

Washington

Pierce County

98498

No

8708

Pierce County Sheriff's Office

Tacoma

Washington

Pierce County

98402

930 Tacoma Avenue South, Washington

2537987530

County

Law Enforcement

892100269

Jul 28, 1989

Pierce County Sheriff's Office

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 8, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP7496) and 4 other sources
On July 28, 1989, 26-year-old Daniel Ray Turpin was last seen in Lakewood, Washington. At the time of his disappearance, Turpin, a former member of the Air Force, was temporarily residing with his sister. He was a White male with brown hair and brown eyes. He stood at approximately 6 feet tall and weighed between 160 and 170 pounds. At the time he went missing, he had a mustache and beard and wore glasses. No one has heard from or seen him since that summer day.

The circumstances surrounding Daniel's disappearance remain unclear. One theory that authorities have considered is that he may have drowned while attempting to swim across American Lake. However, this has never been confirmed, and his body has not been recovered. He seemingly vanished without a trace, leaving behind unanswered questions for his family and investigators. The lack of concrete evidence has made it difficult to determine what exactly happened to him.

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office has been the investigating agency for this case. Despite the passage of time, Daniel Turpin's case is still considered unsolved. The official classification for his disappearance is 'Lost/Injured Missing.' With no new leads or evidence emerging over the years, the case has grown cold. The mystery of what occurred on that July day in 1989 persists, and the investigation remains open, awaiting any information that might finally shed light on his fate.
Last Seen: Jul 28, 1989

Links to Additional Sources (4)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Daniel Ray Turpin - The Charley Project
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP7496
  • 4300DMWA - Daniel Ray Turpin - Doe Network
  • Missing Daniel Ray Turpin age 26 1989 Lakewood, Washington ...

    • 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.

    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP11907
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon
    UP11907 • Found Aug 25, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 26
    Race 100%White
    Location 72%115 mi away
    TimingFound 4 weeks after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'0"–5'10"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 160–170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Olympia, Washington
    UP8586 • Found Jun 8, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 18–40 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%18 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'0" vs 5'0"–5'10"
    Weight 100%148 lb vs 160–170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Seattle, Washington - unidentified case UP67767
    John Doe — Seattle, Washington
    UP67767 • Found Sep 6, 2001
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%32 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'0"–5'10"
    Weight 100%175 lb vs 160–170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Issaquah, Washington - unidentified case UP8582
    John Doe — Issaquah, Washington
    UP8582 • Found Jan 15, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%35 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3"–5'8" vs 5'0"–5'10"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Tacoma, Washington
    UP93227 • Found Jun 21, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 45–70 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%8 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 33 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'0"–5'10"
    Weight 100%185 lb vs 160–170 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Seattle, Washington
    UP87994 • Found Jun 14, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 21–44 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%32 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 32 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'0"–5'10"
    Weight 100%175 lb vs 160–170 lb
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP9988
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon
    UP9988 • Found Jan 15, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 21–30 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 72%115 mi away
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'0"–5'10"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP9987
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon
    UP9987 • Found Jun 6, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 72%115 mi away
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 68%6'1" vs 5'0"–5'10"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 160–170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Oregon - unidentified case UP9519
    John Doe — Oregon
    UP9519 • Found Nov 8, 1993
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 16–30 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 71%119 mi away
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'0"–5'10"
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon - unidentified case UP9601
    John Doe — Portland, Oregon
    UP9601 • Found Oct 1, 1993
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 26 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 72%115 mi away
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'0"–5'10"

    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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Has anyone looked into the weather conditions on the day Daniel Turpin went missing? I read he might... ...Read More
    04/07/2024

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