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 (MP4392) and 6 other sources
Paul James Charapko, a 23-year-old man from Miami Springs, Florida, disappeared on August 28, 1975, under mysterious circumstances. On that day, Paul was en route to a doctor's appointment in his sister’s car when he asked her to pull over. After she complied, he exited the vehicle and walked away, never to be seen again. His sudden disappearance has baffled authorities and remains unsolved almost five decades later.

Paul had a history of mental health issues, including suicidal tendencies, which complicates the case. He had previously attempted suicide and was discharged from the U.S. Army due to his struggles with mental health. At the time of his disappearance, he was reportedly in need of medication for his conditions. His family was aware of his fragile state, but the events leading up to his decision to leave the vehicle and vanish remain unclear.

Physically, Paul was described as being 6'2", weighing 200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Notably, he had a fused right ankle from a car accident, which might have left visible scars. Despite searches and investigations by local authorities, no conclusive evidence has ever been found regarding his whereabouts. His case is classified as endangered missing, and it remains open with local law enforcement in Miami Springs.

Last Seen: Aug 28, 1975

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP6085 • Found Apr 29, 2002
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 27 years after last seen
Height 68%5'11" vs 6'2"–6'4"
Weight 100%182 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP16391 • Found Jun 29, 1980
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%6'0" vs 6'2"–6'4"
Weight 82%160 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP5756
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP5756 • Found Feb 12, 1997
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 39–41 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 68%5'11" vs 6'2"–6'4"
Weight 98%177 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP5313
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP5313 • Found Nov 3, 1993
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–30 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 68%5'11" vs 6'2"–6'4"
Weight 73%151 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Miami-Dade, Florida
UP6077 • Found Aug 14, 1983
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%28 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 84%6'0" vs 6'2"–6'4"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP10130 • Found May 2, 1982
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 17–32 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 68%5'11" vs 6'2"–6'4"
Weight 82%160 lb vs 200–220 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — Florida
UP1303 • Found May 21, 1980
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 83%73 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 68%5'11" vs 6'2"–6'4"
Weight 96%175 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP17731
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP17731 • Found Oct 23, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–27 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 52%5'10" vs 6'2"–6'4"
Weight 76%154 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP5752
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP5752 • Found Apr 4, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 52%5'10" vs 6'2"–6'4"
Weight 65%144 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP1208 • Found Mar 9, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–55 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%6'3" vs 6'2"–6'4"
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.