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David Thomson Missing Person Case

Last seen in Minnetonka, Minnesota on Jul 4, 1979

Victim Details

Apr 16, 2009

Jan 9, 2024

David

Thomson

79

32

68 inches

71 inches

175 lbs

185 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jul 4, 1979

Minnetonka

Minnesota

Hennepin County

No

20264

Minnetonka Police Department

Minnetonka

Minnesota

Hennepin County

55345

Dave Riegert

Detective

14600 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minnesota

9529398500

Local

Law Enforcement

https://www.minnetonkamn.gov/government/departments/police-department

92000446

Minnetonka Police Department

7029

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 4, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP1890) and 12 other sources
David Bird Thomson, a 32-year-old writer and journalist, disappeared from Minnetonka, Minnesota, on July 4, 1979. He was last seen standing by Highway 7 and Williston Road, carrying only a backpack. At the time of his disappearance, David was suffering from scoliosis and depression, and his brother noted that he may have been experiencing mild delusions. David had a distinctive appearance, with a beard, shoulder-length brown hair, and a receding hairline. He also bore scars from a 1964 car accident that left his left leg shorter than his right, along with a foreshortened left arm.

David had a passion for living off the land, similar to the themes explored in his book *In the Shining Mountains*, which was published the same year he went missing. He briefly worked in Wyoming and Colorado in 1979, but no trace of him has been found since. His family and loved ones speculated that he may have chosen to live in isolation, emulating the mountain man lifestyle described in his writing. Despite ongoing efforts by law enforcement and his family, David remains missing, and his case is still unsolved.
Last Seen: Jul 4, 1979

Links to Additional Sources (12)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • David Bird Thomson (aka Bird) - Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification
  • David Bird Thomson - The Charley Project
  • Wyoming Lostnmissing - Please Share!
  • Bird Thomson | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • David Bird Thomson Bio - In the Shining Mountains
  • David Bird Thomson – July 4, 1979 – Minnetonka, MN - - LostNMissing
  • 993DMMN - David Bird Thomson - Doe Network
  • BCA Needs Your Help Identifying Recovered Human Remains - Patch
  • LostNMissing - #missing David Bird Thomson - Facebook
  • David Bird Thomson – CUE – Community United Effort
  • MN - David Bird Thomson, 32, Minnetonka, 1 July '79 | Websleuths
  • LostNMissing - #Missing: David Bird Thomson Case - Facebook

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (6)

    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 — Minneapolis, Minnesota
    UP124186 • Found Sep 25, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 32 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'8"–5'11"
    Weight 99%156 lb vs 175–185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota - unidentified case UP763
    John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota
    UP763 • Found Dec 16, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 32 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 24 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"–5'11"
    Weight 71%131 lb vs 175–185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    78%Possible
    John Doe — St Paul, Minnesota
    UP148173 • Found May 23, 2025
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 32 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%20 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 46 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"–5'11"
    Weight 97%154 lb vs 175–185 lb
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Battle Lake, Minnesota - unidentified case UP16212
    John Doe — Battle Lake, Minnesota
    UP16212 • Found May 1, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–55 vs 32 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 66%144 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 26 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"–5'11"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 175–185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — St. Paul, Minnesota
    UP12122 • Found Apr 18, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 60%Est. 20–50 vs 32 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%19 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 5'8"–5'11"
    Weight 59%237 lb vs 175–185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota
    UP765 • Found Oct 5, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 32 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'5" vs 5'8"–5'11"

    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)

    Anyone have any thoughts on the connections between David Bird Thomson's book *In the Shining... ...Read More
    12/19/2023
    I’ve been following David Bird Thomson’s case, and what really intrigues me is the timing around the... ...Read More
    08/07/2023

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