Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
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 (MP1461) and 5 other sources
Andrew Willis, a 41-year-old man, went missing on May 29, 1997, in Santa Cruz, California. On the day before his 42nd birthday, he was fishing with his cousin and a friend from a 20-foot cliff off West Cliff Drive. Tragedy struck when an ocean wave swept Willis off the rocks, pulling him underwater. Rescue efforts were immediately launched, and despite spotting his body twice during a five-hour search, the rescue personnel were unable to retrieve him due to the dangerous conditions of the water. He is presumed to have drowned, although his body was never recovered.

Willis was described as an African-American man with black hair, brown eyes, and was 5'5" tall, weighing around 140 pounds at the time of his disappearance. He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, blue pants, and a blue hat. The case remains classified as a "lost/injured missing" person case by local authorities, and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department handled the investigation.

Despite the extensive search efforts, Andrew Willis' body was never found, leaving his family and friends without closure. His case continues to be listed among other unresolved disappearances in California, underscoring the dangers of ocean fishing and the unpredictable nature of the sea.

Last Seen: May 29, 1997

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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.

76%Possible
John Doe — Oakland, California - unidentified case UP16720
John Doe — Oakland, California
UP16720 • Found Jul 28, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 41 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 87%59 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 20%5'11" vs 5'5"
Weight 100%130 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 90%Brown vs Black

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.