Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP5895) and 10 other sources
Michael Duane Burnett, a 14-year-old boy, was last seen on March 17, 1971, in Oroville, California. He had left his home on Clement Drive that morning, intending to walk to Central Middle School, but never arrived. His disappearance followed an argument with his mother that day, which initially led her to believe that he might have gone to live with his father in Washington. However, Michael never reached his father, and foul play is suspected in his case.

In the days leading up to his disappearance, Michael had been involved in a fight with other boys from a nearby school. While no clear connection has been established between this altercation and his vanishing, authorities believe that foul play is likely, as Michael had no history of running away and wasn't experiencing any major personal issues at the time.

Michael had distinguishing features, including a surgical scar on the left side of his chest from a partial lung removal and a small scar near his right eye. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a blue sweater, green pants, and brown suede shoes. Despite extensive searches and investigations over the years, Michael's case remains unsolved.

Last Seen: Mar 17, 1971

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.

84%Moderate
John Doe — Sacramento, California
UP2404 • Found May 12, 1982
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 76%95 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%145 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Scar: surgical
81%Moderate
John Doe — Sacramento, California
UP2414 • Found Feb 6, 1977
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Unincorporated, California
UP10662 • Found Jun 7, 1978
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 65%151 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5872 • Found Oct 16, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 69%129 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%153 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — San Martin, California
UP123466 • Found Apr 13, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 61%168 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Berkeley, California - unidentified case UP53302
John Doe — Berkeley, California
UP53302 • Found Mar 19, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 71%120 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
Weight 91%137 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Nevada
UP17301 • Found Aug 31, 1980
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 22–29 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 62%164 mi away
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"
Weight 95%140 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — California - unidentified case UP2363
John Doe — California
UP2363 • Found Mar 9, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 83%73 mi away, same state
TimingFound 32 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Sacramento, California
UP12982 • Found Dec 4, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%67 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 52%5'8" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%164 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Sacramento, California
UP2398 • Found Aug 11, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 14 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%62 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 36%5'7" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%149 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
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.