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 (MP1448) and 5 other sources
John Warren Smith Jr., 37, was last seen on April 26, 1996, in Santa Cruz, California. At the time, he was reportedly struggling with depression. His vehicle, a black 1985 Toyota pickup truck, was later found abandoned near mile marker 26.86 on Highway 9, a mountainous region with steep ravines. All of his belongings were left inside the truck, but there were no signs of Smith. Despite extensive searches, no trace of him has been found since.

Smith was a talented artist known for his wood carvings and drawings. He had two distinctive tattoos, one of a sun on his left shoulder, while the location of the other remains unspecified. Due to the circumstances of his disappearance, it is classified as an endangered missing person case, but few details have surfaced over the years. Investigators continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward.

If you have any knowledge of his whereabouts, you're urged to contact the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department.

Last Seen: Apr 26, 1996

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
John Doe — San Jose, California
UP127425 • Found Jun 14, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 months after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
Weight 88%139 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Milpitas, California - unidentified case UP59937
John Doe — Milpitas, California
UP59937 • Found Sep 29, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%32 mi away, same state
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
Weight 55%115 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
79%Possible
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5946 • Found Jul 7, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 37
Race 100%White
Location 87%59 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 months after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
Weight 78%200 lb vs 165 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Milpitas, California
UP72156 • Found Jun 14, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%32 mi away, same state
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 6'0"
77%Possible
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP12220 • Found May 15, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 165 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Antioch, California - unidentified case UP10735
John Doe — Antioch, California
UP10735 • Found Oct 15, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 45–65 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 83%72 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"
Weight 91%141 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP57876
John Doe — San Jose, California
UP57876 • Found Oct 15, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
Weight 0%260 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
76%Possible
John Doe — Berkeley, California - unidentified case UP12992
John Doe — Berkeley, California
UP12992 • Found Nov 2, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%63 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
Weight 59%117 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 30%Blue vs Hazel
76%Possible
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP7082 • Found Aug 21, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 77%Est. 25–35 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
76%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 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 73%110 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
Hair 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.