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James Edgar Thurman Iii Missing Person Case

Last seen in Las Vegas, Nevada on Jun 27, 1986

Victim Details

Created

Jan 27, 2026

Case Added

Jan 27, 2026

First Name

James

Last Name

Edgar Thurman Iii

Current Age

Age At Disappearance

Height

5'10 inches

Weight

170 lbs

Ethnicity

White

Gender

Male

Last Seen

Jun 27, 1986

City

Las Vegas

State

Nevada

Zip Code

Las Vegas

Agency Name

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departmen

Agency Phone

702-828-2907

Last Updated

Sep 30, 2026

Case Description

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Summary based on 3 sources

James Edgar Thurman III, a 42-year-old man, has been missing since June 27, 1986, after he was last seen in Las Vegas, Nevada. On the day of his disappearance, Thurman had spoken with a family member and has not been heard from since. His case is considered a cold case, and few details were publicly available for many years.

Thurman was last seen at Buffalo Bill's Casino in Primm, Nevada. On the same day, his rental car was discovered abandoned on Interstate 15, approximately 75 miles from Las Vegas. Investigators found several items inside the vehicle, including an empty gun case, a gun lock, and a partially empty box of ammunition. However, Thurman's. 45 caliber Sig Sauer pistol was not in the car and remains missing. It was also reported that he had mentioned plans to go to an indoor gun range.

At the time of his disappearance, Thurman was described as a white male, 5'10" tall, and weighing 170 pounds, with blond or strawberry blond hair and green eyes. Public records indicate that he had divorced his wife just two months prior to his disappearance in April 1986. Despite the discovery of his rental car and the items inside, his whereabouts and the circumstances leading to his disappearance remain unknown. His case is listed on the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's missing persons cold cases website.
Last Seen: Jun 27, 1986

Links to Additional Sources (3)

See any mistakes? Let us know!

James Edgar Thurman III – The Charley Project

NV- James Edgar Thurman, 42, Las Vegas, 27 Jun 1986 | Websleuths

Missing Persons Flyer 1986 Name: James Thurman

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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.

75%Possible

John Doe — Reno, Nevada

UP2100 • Found Jul 11, 1987

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 42 when missing

Race 100%White

Location 75%Same state

TimingFound 12 months after last seen

Weight 100%172 lb vs 170 lb

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.

James Edgar Thurman Iii Missing Person Case

Last seen in Las Vegas, Nevada on Jun 27, 1986

Victim Details

Case Description

Links to Additional Sources (3)

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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