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Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP7050) and 1 other source
In the fall of 1987, a 37-year-old man named Paul David Mitchell vanished from Seattle, Washington, leaving behind a life and a set of unanswered questions that have lingered for decades. On November 5, 1987, Mitchell was last seen as he set out for a local hospital with the stated purpose of obtaining medication. He was carrying a gray backpack and was dressed in a gray sweatshirt, gray Levis, and white shoes. This ordinary errand marked the last time he was verifiably seen or heard from, creating a mystery that has endured through the years.

Paul was a man with distinct physical characteristics that his loved ones hoped would make him easily identifiable. He had brown hair and blue eyes, but more notably, he had a large bump on the left side of his nose and a stutter. These features, combined with the everyday nature of his last known activity, paint a portrait of a man who seemingly had no intention of disappearing. The Seattle Police Department was notified of his disappearance the following day, November 6, 1987, and an official investigation was launched into his whereabouts.

The circumstances surrounding Paul David Mitchell's disappearance remain shrouded in uncertainty. He left for the hospital to get medication, a routine task that should have concluded with his return home. However, there is no public record of him ever arriving at the hospital, nor has there been any communication from him since that day. The passage of time has not yielded any significant breakthroughs in the case, leaving his family and investigators without closure. The case of Paul David Mitchell serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring pain of not knowing what happened to a loved one who one day simply walks out the door and never returns.

Last Seen: Nov 5, 1987

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (4)

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — Skykomish, Washington - unidentified case UP9128
John Doe — Skykomish, Washington
UP9128 • Found Nov 2, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 37
Race 100%White
Location 90%46 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'4"
Weight 98%150 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Seattle, Washington
UP146404 • Found Jul 27, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 37
Race 60%Hispanic
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 months after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"
Weight 98%150 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
78%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 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"
Weight 57%175 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Rainier, Oregon - unidentified case UP13448
John Doe — Rainier, Oregon
UP13448 • Found Oct 20, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 73%109 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"

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.