Crime Solvers Central
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 (MP9041) and 7 other sources
In the spring of 1988, a young man named Jerry Dewayne Plaster vanished from Manassas, Virginia, leaving behind a puzzle that has troubled his family and investigators for decades. On April 16, 1988, Jerry, then 25 years old, was given a ride by his roommate to the Manassas Mall on Sudley Road. He assured his friend he would find his own way back to their residence on Brent Street, but he was never seen or heard from again. At the time of his disappearance, Jerry was described as a white male, standing 5'10' and weighing around 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He had several distinguishing marks, including scars on his left wrist and elbow, a previously fractured right wrist, a mole and a dimple on his left cheek, and a pierced left ear where he wore a cut-glass earring. He was last seen wearing a brown shirt over a blue t-shirt, dark blue corduroy pants, and white tennis shoes.

Jerry was known by his family as the youngest of five children, a self-proclaimed 'mama's boy' who enjoyed laughing and dancing. He had dropped out of Stonewall Jackson High School and was employed as a laborer. His family described his disappearance as entirely out of character, as he was not one to leave without any warning. In the initial days following his absence, his family wasn't overly concerned, aware of his social nature. However, as time passed with no contact, concern grew into a formal missing person report filed on May 17, 1988. Jerry was unmarried and had no children at the time he went missing.

The investigation into Jerry's disappearance has spanned many years, with his case being re-examined as new information has emerged. At one point, authorities sought to identify an individual who was reportedly seen with Jerry on the day he vanished. This person was described as a white male in his late twenties with an average build and unkempt, sandy blonde hair. Despite these efforts and the unwavering dedication of his family, particularly his sister, the case has remained unsolved. The circumstances surrounding Jerry Plaster's disappearance continue to be a mystery, a painful void for a family left without answers about what happened to their beloved brother and son after he was dropped off at a local mall one spring afternoon.

Last Seen: Apr 16, 1988

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 — Washington, District of Columbia
UP73642 • Found Apr 26, 1988
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–37 vs 25
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away
TimingFound 10 days after last seen
Height 84%5'7"–5'8" vs 5'10"
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
80%Moderate
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland - unidentified case UP946
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
UP946 • Found Jan 20, 2002
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%63 mi away
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 69%169 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Ruther Glen, Virginia - unidentified case UP6301
John Doe — Ruther Glen, Virginia
UP6301 • Found Nov 10, 1988
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 17–25 vs 25
Race 100%White
Location 87%59 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 months after last seen
Height 52%5'6" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%125–145 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
78%Possible
John Doe — Lorton, Virginia - unidentified case UP75435
John Doe — Lorton, Virginia
UP75435 • Found Dec 6, 2019
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same state
TimingFound 32 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'10" vs 5'10"
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
78%Possible
John Doe — Manassas, Virginia - unidentified case UP6305
John Doe — Manassas, Virginia
UP6305 • Found Jul 30, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7"–5'8" vs 5'10"
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
77%Possible
John Doe — Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP16600
John Doe — Pennsylvania
UP16600 • Found Nov 3, 1995
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 72%114 mi away
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 83%160 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
77%Possible
John Doe — Riverdale, Maryland
UP10223 • Found May 9, 2009
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%34 mi away
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 52%5'6" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%129 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Gambrills, Maryland - unidentified case UP932
John Doe — Gambrills, Maryland
UP932 • Found Mar 29, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 16–40 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%50 mi away
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
Weight 87%157 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Rockville, Maryland
UP2901 • Found Jan 18, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 90%Est. 40–45 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
77%Possible
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 25 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%32 mi away
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 36%5'5" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%134 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
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.