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 (MP862) and 8 other sources
In the bustling city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on May 1, 1997, a 35-year-old woman named Sherline Johnson told her family she was going to visit a female friend. She left her home on Seigel Street and was last seen during the day, although the exact location is uncertain, with reports mentioning either the 1200 block of South Carlisle Street or the 2500 block of Washington Street. Sherline, a Black female with brown eyes and black hair she often wore in a ponytail, never returned from that outing and has not been seen or heard from since. At the time she went missing, she was described as being approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 100 pounds. She was last seen wearing a white sweatshirt, dark blue sweatpants, and black shoes with a buckle on the side. Known affectionately by the nicknames 'Chocolate' or 'Yogi,' Sherline had distinct scars across all four fingers of her right hand and another on her outer right ankle.

The circumstances surrounding Sherline Johnson's disappearance remain shrouded in mystery, with very few details available to the public or her worried family. The identity of the friend she intended to visit and their planned destination have never been publicly disclosed. Sherline's life was not without its challenges; she lived with several health conditions, including diabetes, schizophrenia, and a heart condition. It has also been reported that she had a history of substance abuse. Despite these struggles, her sister, Charlotte Johnson, has emphasized that Sherline was always a constant presence in their lives. The lack of information has been a heavy burden for her loved ones, who have spent decades grappling with the unknown.

For nearly three decades, the search for answers in Sherline Johnson's case has continued, driven by the unwavering hope of her family. Her sister Charlotte remains a vocal advocate, believing that someone has information that could finally bring clarity to what happened to Sherline. The Philadelphia Police Department's Special Victims Unit continues to hold the case file, but without new leads, the investigation remains at a standstill. Sherline's case is a poignant example of the many long-unsolved missing persons cases that leave families in a painful state of limbo, forever waiting for a resolution that may never come. The story of Sherline Johnson is one of a life interrupted, a family left with unanswered questions, and a community that holds onto the slim hope that one day, the truth will come to light.

Last Seen: May 1, 1997

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
Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP16612 • Found Nov 6, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 18 months after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
82%Moderate
Jane Doe — Newark, New Jersey
UP1482 • Found Oct 24, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 82%77 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
Weight 80%120 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Wilmington, Delaware - unidentified case UP6288
Jane Doe — Wilmington, Delaware
UP6288 • Found Jan 24, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 96%24 mi away
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'3" vs 5'1"
Weight 100%100 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
80%Moderate
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP6267
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP6267 • Found Jun 27, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 80%83 mi away
TimingFound 14 months after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
Weight 42%135 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP16619 • Found Sep 9, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 35
Race 100%Black
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5728
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5728 • Found Nov 17, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 80%83 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
Weight 100%110 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Newark, New Jersey
UP1490 • Found Feb 9, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 27–40 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 80%82 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'1"
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
78%Possible
Jane Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP6141
Jane Doe — New York, New York
UP6141 • Found Nov 5, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 80%82 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 52%4'9" vs 5'1"
Weight 90%85 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
UP2744 • Found Sep 9, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 78%88 mi away
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0" vs 5'1"
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP17020 • Found Sep 18, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 35
Race 100%Black
Location 100%1 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 68%5'4" vs 5'1"
Weight 0%35 lb vs 100 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black

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.