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 (MP3900) and 8 other sources
William Charles Cordes, aged 15, disappeared on March 30, 1984, from Auburn, California. At the time, William was residing in a group home, The Children's Home Society, as part of his sentence for stealing beer. On the night of his disappearance, William and some other boys from the group home snuck out to attend a party in a nearby town. They drank until the early hours before attempting to return to the home. However, the car they were traveling in ran out of gas on Interstate 80 near Dry Creek Road.

William stayed behind with the vehicle while his friends went to get gas, but when they returned, he was gone. Despite initial reports, authorities did not begin investigating William’s case until years later, after his initial missing person report had been inexplicably canceled. William’s family and law enforcement now believe foul play was involved in his disappearance, though no evidence has surfaced to confirm this. At the time, William had a birthmark on his neck, a capped front tooth, and stitches in one of his feet.

His case remains unsolved, and authorities are still seeking information to resolve his disappearance.

Last Seen: Mar 30, 1984

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 — Sacramento, California
UP2398 • Found Aug 11, 1986
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Sex ✓Male
Age 93%Est. 18–30 vs 15 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%31 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
Weight 82%149 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
81%Moderate
John Doe — Sacramento, California
UP12982 • Found Dec 4, 1986
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Sex ✓Male
Age 96%Est. 18–30 vs 15 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%32 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 53%164 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
80%Moderate
John Doe — Sacramento, California
UP2373 • Found Sep 7, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 15 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%31 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%120 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Stockton, California - unidentified case UP50599
John Doe — Stockton, California
UP50599 • Found Jul 12, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 15 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Turlock, California
UP50957 • Found Jul 11, 2001
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 15 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 76%98 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%130–180 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Glamis, California - unidentified case UP15319
John Doe — Glamis, California
UP15319 • Found Oct 2, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–22 vs 15 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 75%Same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
Weight 80%150 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
77%Possible
John Doe — Tiburon, California
UP7084 • Found Aug 20, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 15 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 75%102 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%130 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Sacramento, California
UP2393 • Found Aug 20, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 93%Est. 20–30 vs 15 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%31 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 52%5'3" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%127 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
77%Possible
John Doe — Marysville, California
UP138951 • Found Sep 13, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 15 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%33 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'8" vs 5'7"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Guerneville, California
UP79380 • Found Jul 18, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 15 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 74%107 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'7"
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.