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Crime Solvers Central
298 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 (MP4266) and 11 other sources
In the quiet town of Dover, New Jersey, a profound sense of uncertainty has surrounded the sudden disappearance of Joseph Robertson, a 63-year-old man who vanished without a trace. On January 2, 2004, Mr. Robertson was seen for the last time as he was leaving the Dover Retirement Facility. Since that day, his whereabouts have remained a mystery, leaving his community with lingering questions and a case that has grown cold with the passage of time. The circumstances of his departure offered no immediate cause for alarm, yet he was never heard from again, creating a void of information that has puzzled investigators and loved ones alike.

Joseph Robertson was a white male with graying hair and brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he stood approximately 6 feet tall and weighed around 200 pounds. One of the few distinguishing personal details known about him is that he had an allergy to penicillin. He had no known scars, marks, or tattoos that could aid in his identification. The lack of such distinctive features, combined with the scant details surrounding his disappearance, has presented significant challenges to those trying to piece together the events of that winter day. The Toms River Police Department and the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit were involved in the investigation, but the case yielded very few leads.

The case of Joseph Robertson is a somber reminder of how a person can simply vanish, leaving behind a life story with an unfinished final chapter. Over the years, his case has been classified as an endangered missing person, a designation that underscores the potential vulnerability of an individual who disappears under unclear circumstances. Despite the passage of time, the fundamental questions remain: What happened to Joseph Robertson after he walked out of the retirement facility on that January day? Where did he go, and why has he not been seen or heard from since? The absence of answers has left a lasting impact on those who knew him and the community he was a part of, an enduring mystery that continues to await a resolution.

Last Seen: Jan 2, 2004

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.

82%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP2693
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP2693 • Found Aug 29, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 63 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'11"–6'1"
Weight 96%171 lb vs 195–205 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5617
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5617 • Found Mar 2, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 63 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away
TimingFound 14 months after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'11"–6'1"
Weight 77%152 lb vs 195–205 lb
Hair 40%Brown vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP2785
John Doe — New York, New York
UP2785 • Found Jul 6, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 63
Race 100%White
Location 94%32 mi away
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'11"–6'1"
Weight 100%179 lb vs 195–205 lb
Hair 40%Brown vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP5268
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP5268 • Found Dec 14, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 63 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%42 mi away
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"–6'1"
Weight 100%192 lb vs 195–205 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP2834
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP2834 • Found Dec 13, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 63 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%69 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'11"–6'1"
Weight 81%244 lb vs 195–205 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP5637
John Doe — New York, New York
UP5637 • Found Nov 2, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 81%Est. 50–60 vs 63 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%31 mi away
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"–6'1"
Weight 100%212 lb vs 195–205 lb
Hair 40%Brown vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP5558
John Doe — New York, New York
UP5558 • Found Oct 5, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 81%Est. 50–60 vs 63 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%31 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"–6'1"
Weight 100%179 lb vs 195–205 lb
Hair 40%Brown vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP5218
John Doe — New York, New York
UP5218 • Found Mar 6, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 63 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%31 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 52%5'7" vs 5'11"–6'1"
Weight 73%148 lb vs 195–205 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Staten Island, New York - unidentified case UP75898
John Doe — Staten Island, New York
UP75898 • Found Jul 3, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 63 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%31 mi away
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'11"–6'1"
Weight 70%145 lb vs 195–205 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP50249
John Doe — New York, New York
UP50249 • Found Apr 24, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 45–65 vs 63 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%32 mi away
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"–6'1"
Weight 100%177 lb vs 195–205 lb
Hair 70%Brown vs Gray

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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