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James Shumaker Missing Person Case

Last seen in Tampa, Florida on Oct 22, 1995

Victim Details

Jul 10, 2009

Jan 12, 2024

James

Shumaker

61

30

69 inches

71 inches

150 lbs

160 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Oct 22, 1995

Tampa

Florida

Hillsborough County

33602

No

7449

Tampa Police Department

Tampa

Florida

Hillsborough County

33602

411 North Franklin Street, Florida

8132763200

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.tampagov.net/police

95-514883

Oct 23, 1995

Tampa Police Department

7963

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 7, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP2438) and 6 other sources
James Mark Shumaker, a 30-year-old man, was last seen on the evening of October 20, 1995, at the Parthenon Café, a gay nightclub located in downtown Tampa, Florida. This establishment, later renamed The Garage, was a well-known location in the area. Shumaker was dropped off at the bar, leaving his vehicle at home, and vanished after that night. He was reported missing a few days later, but no traces of him have surfaced since. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing green surgical pants, a multicolored vest, black Reebok sneakers, and a silver neck chain.

Shumaker’s disappearance was not an isolated incident. Investigators have considered the possibility of connections between his case and several others involving missing men in the Tampa and Fort Lauderdale areas. All these men, including Shumaker, were gay and disappeared under similarly mysterious circumstances. Some of these cases were later tied to serial offenders Steven Lorenzo and Scott Schweikert, known for their involvement in drugging and killing gay men. However, no concrete evidence directly links Shumaker’s case to these men, and his disappearance remains unsolved.

The lack of substantial leads and Shumaker’s continued absence has left his case open, with no arrests or charges made in connection with his disappearance. Despite investigations over the years, including looking into possible serial connections, authorities still do not have definitive answers about what happened to him. His case is still classified as endangered missing.
Last Seen: Oct 22, 1995

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • 1706DMFL - James Mark Shumaker - Doe Network
  • James Mark Shumaker - The Charley Project
  • The disappearances of five gay men - Sarasota Herald-Tribune
  • Steven Lorenzo case: Confessed killer to learn his fate 2 decades ...
  • James Shumaker - The Charley Project Blog
  • Clues link Tampa disappearances - Orlando Sentinel

    • 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 — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP179
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP179 • Found Jun 18, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 97%Est. 35–45 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%2 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"–5'11"
    Weight 94%130 lb vs 150–160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP78
    John Doe — Tampa, Florida
    UP78 • Found May 21, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–35 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%5 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"–5'11"
    Weight 100%172 lb vs 150–160 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Dover, Florida - unidentified case UP178
    John Doe — Dover, Florida
    UP178 • Found Mar 22, 2001
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%15 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 52%5'5" vs 5'9"–5'11"
    Weight 100%149 lb vs 150–160 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    78%Possible
    John Doe — North Port, Florida
    UP60596 • Found Jan 1, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 30
    Race 100%White
    Location 86%60 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 months after last seen
    Height 84%6'1" vs 5'9"–5'11"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Orlando, Florida - unidentified case UP531
    John Doe — Orlando, Florida
    UP531 • Found Dec 15, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%78 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'9"–5'11"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Tarpon Springs, Florida - unidentified case UP116
    John Doe — Tarpon Springs, Florida
    UP116 • Found Jan 12, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 35–60 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%23 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"–5'11"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP5292
    John Doe — Miami, Florida
    UP5292 • Found May 23, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 30
    Race 100%White
    Location 54%206 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"–5'11"
    Weight 100%145 lb vs 150–160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Apopka, Florida
    UP540 • Found Dec 19, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 30
    Race 100%White
    Location 82%76 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 weeks after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"–5'11"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Daytona Beach, Florida - unidentified case UP1120
    John Doe — Daytona Beach, Florida
    UP1120 • Found Oct 1, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 30
    Race 100%White
    Location 70%123 mi away, same state
    TimingFound same day as last seen
    Height 68%5'6" vs 5'9"–5'11"
    Weight 100%138 lb vs 150–160 lb
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Orlando, Florida - unidentified case UP2299
    John Doe — Orlando, Florida
    UP2299 • Found Nov 11, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 81%77 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'6" vs 5'9"–5'11"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 150–160 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel

    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.

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    Forum Posts (2)

    I recently came across an article discussing James Mark Shumaker, and something caught my attention.... ...Read More
    12/03/2023
    I'm really intrigued by the case of James Mark Shumaker. I was doing some reading about the... ...Read More
    10/17/2023

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