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William Henry Missing Person Case

Last seen in Laguna Beach, California on Jul 20, 1998

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Victim Details

Dec 12, 2008

May 7, 2020

William

Henry

58

30

71 inches

160 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jul 20, 1998

Laguna Beach

California

Orange County

7045

Laguna Beach Police Department

Laguna Beach

California

Orange County

92651

505 Forest Avenue, California

9494970701

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/police/default.htm

9803130

Laguna Beach Police Department

4986

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

Sep 26, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP1257) and 6 other sources
William James Henry, aged 30, went missing on July 20, 1998, from Laguna Beach, California. Originally from San Francisco, Henry was planning to return to his hometown of Rochester, New York, when he disappeared. He was last seen driving a green 1985 Oldsmobile station wagon with New York license plates. His car was later found abandoned on Laguna Canyon Road, near the Sawdust Festival grounds, but there was no sign of Henry. His wallet, found in the vehicle, was missing both cash and credit cards.

There were potential but unconfirmed sightings of Henry after his disappearance. On July 10, 1998, he may have visited Disneyland in Anaheim, and another possible sighting occurred in Fontana, California, in early August, where he was reportedly disoriented and asking for money to buy food. Henry, who has experience in truck driving, painting, and wallpapering, was known to enjoy hiking and outdoor activities. He was described as a dependable person, and it was out of character for him to disappear without contact. Authorities believe he may have been disoriented at the time, as he was reported to be a dependent adult who might have become confused.
Last Seen: Jul 20, 1998

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • William James Henry | State of California - Department of Justice
  • William James Henry - The Charley Project
  • Disappearance of Man Puzzles Laguna Police - Los Angeles Times
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP1257 | NamUs
  • Missing: William James Henry - 411 Gina
  • BRIEFLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY - Los Angeles Times

    • 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.

    85%Strong
    John Doe — South El Monte, California
    UP3396 • Found May 7, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–43 vs 30
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%38 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
    Weight 100%145 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — South Gate, California
    UP10986 • Found Oct 2, 2012
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–38 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%38 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–6'1" vs 5'11"
    Weight 100%157 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Commerce, California - unidentified case UP13339
    John Doe — Commerce, California
    UP13339 • Found Jul 7, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%38 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'11"
    Weight 100%163 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    79%Possible
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP56199 • Found May 3, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 84%67 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 21 months after last seen
    Height 84%6'1" vs 5'11"
    Weight 100%162–182 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Irwindale, California
    UP12863 • Found Feb 13, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%39 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–6'1" vs 5'11"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP3051 • Found Dec 3, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 87%Est. 39–49 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%27 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9"–5'11" vs 5'11"
    Weight 95%180–210 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP13227
    John Doe — Calexico, California
    UP13227 • Found May 10, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 66%145 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 22 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
    Weight 95%140 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Palm Desert, California
    UP7017 • Found Aug 30, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 30
    Race 100%White
    Location 80%82 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 weeks after last seen
    Height 68%6'2" vs 5'11"
    Weight 100%170 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 30%Blue vs Hazel
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3410
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3410 • Found Jul 10, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 23–40 vs 30
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%44 mi away, same state
    TimingFound same day as last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 5'11"
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP12864
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP12864 • Found Feb 13, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 28–50 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%44 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–6'0" vs 5'11"
    Weight 100%175–190 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 100%Brown 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 (1)

    I recently came across some details that made me wonder about William James Henry's mindset around... ...Read More
    12/20/2024

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