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Case Description
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Dat Tat Tran, a 37-year-old student at the University of California at San Diego disappeared under unclear circumstances in March of 1997. A resident of San Diego, California, Tran informed his landlady that he was planning a vacation "up north somewhere" for his spring break. He was last seen on March 31, 1997. Tran was an Asian male with black hair and brown eyes, standing at 5'5" and weighing 140 pounds.

The investigation into Tran's disappearance revealed a series of unusual events. ...Read More
Last Seen: Mar 31, 1997
Links to Additional Sources (3)
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Victim Details

Jan 24, 2026

Jan 24, 2026

Dat

Tat Tran

37

37

5'5 inches

140 lbs

Asian

Male

Tran was a student at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) in 1997. He told his landlady he was going on vacation up north for spring break. He rented a car in San Diego and, on March 31, rented another car from the Budget car rental agency in Washington state. Tran did not return this second vehicle to the rental agency and it was reported stolen. He has never been heard from again. On July 22, the car was found abandoned in a hotel parking lot in Washington. It had been there for three or four months. The circumstances of Tran's disappearance are unclear. His family and friends haven't heard from him since 1997. San Diego police are investigating.

Mar 31, 1997

San Diego

California

San Diego

7

San Diego Police Departmen

619-531-2277

01/25/2026