Crime Solvers Central
CSC
221 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Case Description
Any updates on this case? Let us know!
John Clifton Butler, 42, was last seen in 1994 while living on the streets of Santa Monica, California. He has not been heard from since. Butler has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had been hospitalized in several mental institutions in California and Oregon before he disappeared. In 1984, he attempted to travel to Belgium but was sent back to the United States due to his mental state.

In 1999, five years after he was last seen, Butler's father passed away and left him a ...Read More
Last Seen: Jan 01, 1994
Links to Additional Sources (2)
See any mistakes? Let us know!
Victim Details

Jan 24, 2026

Jan 24, 2026

John

Clifton Butler

42

42

5'10 inches

130 lbs

White

Male

Butler was last known to be living on the streets in Santa Monica, California sometime during 1994. He has never been heard from again. In 1999, his father died and left him a substantial inheritance, and his family members were unable to locate him to inform him. They reported him missing at this time. Butler was hospitalized in several mental institutions in California and Oregon prior to his disappearance. He attempted to travel to Belgium in 1984, but was immediately returned to the United States due to his mental condition. Butler was reported as a missing person by his brother, who is now deceased. Investigators have lost contact with all his other relatives, so they do not have DNA to compare with any unidentified remains. His fingerprints are available, however. Butler's case remains unsolved.

Jan 01, 1994

Santa Monica

California

Santa Monica

5

Santa Monica Police Department

01/26/2026