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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 (MP7628) and 6 other sources
In the fall of 1987, 33-year-old Richard Thomas Basgier, a male with brown hair, brown eyes, and a mustache, prepared for a day of fishing off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. On the morning of October 3rd, he and his 27-year-old companion, Marc McDaniels, set out from Lynnhaven Inlet. Their vessel was a distinctive, bright green 17-foot Sea Eagle Trihull boat, identifiable by its white 85-horsepower Johnson motor and the Virginia license plate number 2525K. They were headed towards the Chesapeake Light Tower, a popular fishing spot, with the expectation of returning before darkness fell. Mr. Basgier was reportedly wearing a blue jacket and either brown or blue shorts. He had a noticeable scar on his forehead above one of his eyes.

As the day progressed, the weather took a perilous turn. A storm unexpectedly moved through the Hampton Roads area, churning the sea and creating treacherous waves reported to be between 10 and 12 feet high. These conditions would have been extremely dangerous for a small, open-cabin boat like the one Basgier and McDaniels were in. Concerns grew when the two fishermen did not return to shore as planned that evening. The vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, now agitated and unforgiving, held the key to their whereabouts.

An extensive search was presumably launched in the days that followed, though specific details of the immediate search and rescue efforts are not extensively documented in the available records. Despite these efforts, neither Richard Basgier nor Marc McDaniels were ever seen again. Their bright green fishing boat also vanished without a trace, never to be recovered from the depths of the ocean. The case remains open, a painful and unresolved chapter for the families of the two men. Both Richard Basgier and Marc McDaniels are presumed to have been lost at sea, their disappearance a somber reminder of the ocean's formidable power. The Virginia Beach Police Department continues to hold the case file for this long-unsolved disappearance.

Last Seen: Oct 3, 1987

Possible Unidentified Matches (8)

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.

78%Possible
John Doe — Ruther Glen, Virginia - unidentified case UP6507
John Doe — Ruther Glen, Virginia
UP6507 • Found Nov 10, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 92%Est. 35–45 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 73%110 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 96%135–150 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Newport News, Virginia - unidentified case UP5532
John Doe — Newport News, Virginia
UP5532 • Found Apr 7, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%41 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'9" vs 5'10"
76%Possible
John Doe — Washington, District of Columbia
UP73642 • Found Apr 26, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–37 vs 33
Race 100%White
Location 64%155 mi away
TimingFound 7 months after last seen
Height 84%5'7"–5'8" vs 5'10"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Ocean City, Maryland
UP2743 • Found Dec 12, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 72%114 mi away
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 99%152 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
UP2714 • Found May 25, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–35 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 61%172 mi away
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 86%199 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Atlantic City, New Jersey - unidentified case UP1610
John Doe — Atlantic City, New Jersey
UP1610 • Found Aug 28, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 41–56 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 56%193 mi away
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland - unidentified case UP946
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
UP946 • Found Jan 20, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 61%172 mi away
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%169 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Philadephia, Pennsylvania
UP7463 • Found Oct 14, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 53%222 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%181 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Hazel 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.

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