Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Rose Cole missing person case profile photo

Rose Cole Missing Person Case

Last seen in Oakland, California on Jul 1, 1973

Victim Details

Apr 15, 2010

Mar 4, 2024

Rose

Cole

69

16

63 inches

120 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Jul 1, 1973

Oakland

California

Alameda County

94612

No

26488

Oakland Police Department

Oakland

California

Alameda County

94607

Brad Sides

Police Officer, Missing Persons

455 7th Street, California

5102383641

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.oaklandca.gov/departments/police

07-017109

Oakland Police Department

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 14, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP5959) and 8 other sources
Rose Lena Cole, a 16-year-old girl, was last seen in the summer of 1973 in Oakland, California. Her disappearance is closely tied to her stay at the Synanon Foundation, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center that later became notorious for its cult-like practices. Originally from Flint, Michigan, Rose had been court-ordered to join Synanon after admitting to drug use and running away frequently. At some point between the fall of 1972 and the summer of 1973, Rose disappeared from the facility.

Before going missing, Rose sent two letters to her family. In one, she mentioned living on the streets in San Francisco's Chinatown and suffering from a kidney infection. She assured her family she was safe but indicated she wouldn’t contact them again until she turned 18 to avoid being forced back into the Synanon program. Despite this promise, her family never heard from her again, and there has been no sign of her since.

Rose's case remains unresolved, and although it is classified as an endangered runaway, the unusual circumstances surrounding Synanon and its control over participants have raised concerns. Rose's family continues to seek information about her whereabouts. Despite multiple investigations, no solid leads have emerged.
Last Seen: Jul 1, 1973

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Rose Cole | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Rose Lena Cole | State of California - Department of Justice - CA.gov
  • 2368DFCA - Rose Lena Cole - Doe Network
  • Rose Lena Cole - The Charley Project
  • Rose Cole | Whereabouts Still Unknown - WordPress.com
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP5959 - Office of Justice Programs
  • Rose Cole Missing Since Jul 01, 1973 From Oakland, CA
  • Rosa Lena Cole. Disappeared after running away from Synanon ...

    • 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.

    83%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Orinda, California - unidentified case UP12922
    Jane Doe — Orinda, California
    UP12922 • Found Aug 23, 1975
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 18–29 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%7 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
    Weight 33%166 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    80%Moderate
    Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP125213
    Jane Doe — San Jose, California
    UP125213 • Found Oct 27, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%39 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"
    Weight 95%135 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    Jane Doe — Santa Rosa, California
    UP17490 • Found Jul 2, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 16–21 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%50 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — Livermore, California
    UP14953 • Found Mar 1, 1978
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 19–21 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%29 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'6" vs 5'3"
    Weight 100%110 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP5932
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5932 • Found Apr 5, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"
    Weight 87%100 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    79%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5906 • Found Jan 7, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'5" vs 5'3"
    Weight 100%110 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP129724
    Jane Doe — San Jose, California
    UP129724 • Found Jan 23, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 48 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3"–5'5" vs 5'3"
    Weight 100%120–125 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 30%Blue vs Hazel
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP9160 • Found Apr 22, 2011
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 38 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"
    Weight 100%125 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — Newark, California - unidentified case UP53306
    Jane Doe — Newark, California
    UP53306 • Found Oct 24, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%23 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'6"–5'8" vs 5'3"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    Jane Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP7323 • Found Dec 23, 2009
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 50–75 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 36 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
    Weight 87%100 lb vs 120 lb
    Hair 70%Gray 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.

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (3)

    Has anyone dived deep into the details surrounding Synanon when it comes to Rose Lena Cole? It's so... ...Read More
    07/28/2024
    I recently came across Rose Lena Cole's case and something about Synanon is just fascinating yet... ...Read More
    02/23/2024
    Has anyone ever wondered about what life at Synanon was really like for those kids forced to be... ...Read More
    04/27/2023

    Other Missing Cases from Oakland, California

    Tammy Calligan missing person case in Oakland, California

    Tammy Calligan

    Missing: Oct 22, 2019
    Tammy Lynn Calligan, a 53-year-old woman, was last seen in Oakland, California, on October 22, 2019. ...Read More
    Talmesha Baylis missing person case in Oakland, California

    Talmesha Baylis

    Missing: Aug 1, 2024
    Talmesha Baylis, a 44-year-old woman, went missing from Oakland, California, on August 1, 2024. The ...Read More
    Deborah Kathleen Shaw missing person case in Oakland, California

    Deborah Kathleen Shaw

    Missing: Jan 1, 2016
    Deborah Kathleen Shaw, a 56-year-old Black female, was last seen in Oakland, California on January ...Read More
    Arianna Fitts missing person case in Oakland, California

    Arianna Fitts

    Missing: Feb 1, 2016
    Arianna Fitts, a 2-year-old girl from Oakland, California, has been missing since February 1, 2016. ...Read More
    Charla Ghost missing person case in Oakland, California

    Charla Ghost

    Missing: Dec 26, 1990
    Charla Maria Ghost, a 19-year-old Native American woman and a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe ...Read More
    Gwendolyn Lee Morrow missing person case in Oakland, California

    Gwendolyn Lee Morrow

    Missing: Jan 1, 2005
    Gwendolyn Lee Morrow, a 56-year-old Black female, was last seen on January 1, 2005, in Oakland ...Read More
    Amy Hillyard missing person case in Oakland, California

    Amy Hillyard

    Missing: Mar 25, 2026
    On March 25, 2026, Amy Hillyard, a 52-year-old mother and well-regarded co-owner of a local coffee ...Read More