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298 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 (MP103511) and 13 other sources
In the autumn of 2021, 46-year-old James C. Swenby, known to some as Jamie, was last seen in Madison, Wisconsin on October 31st. His disappearance, however, was not immediately reported. It was only after several weeks of silence, with no one having seen or heard from him, that concern grew and he was officially reported as a missing person. The circumstances surrounding the day he was last seen are unclear, and there is little public information available about his activities or state of mind at the time. This lack of detail has presented significant challenges for investigators from the outset, leaving his family and the community with many unanswered questions.

James Swenby is described as a white male, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 165 pounds. He has sandy or blond hair, which was balding on top with short hair on the sides, and blue eyes. At the time he went missing, he was known to have a full beard with gray mixed in. His appearance is further distinguished by a scar on the back of the right side of his head, in line with his ear. He also has numerous tattoos, including the words "MR BLACK" across his collar bones, "Family" on the back of his right bicep, "Loyalty" on the back of his left bicep, and his last name "SWENBY" running vertically down his right side. Other tattoos include portraits of his two children on his left shoulder, a wolf howling at the moon on his upper back, an angel on his right forearm, and various names and words on his upper right arm. The clothing he was wearing on the day he vanished is unknown.

The investigation into James Swenby's disappearance is being handled by the Madison Police Department. Despite their efforts, which have included collaboration with the Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Missing & Exploited Children & Adults, there has been a scarcity of significant leads. Community and advocacy groups have worked to keep his case in the public eye through social media and other forms of outreach, hoping to generate new information. The lack of witnesses, digital footprint, or surveillance footage has created a difficult path for investigators. The case remains a poignant and unresolved matter, a story of a man who seemingly vanished without a trace, leaving behind a void of information and a family waiting for answers. The central mystery of where he went and what happened to him continues to be the primary focus for those dedicated to bringing him home.

Last Seen: Oct 31, 2021

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 — Waukegan, Illinois - unidentified case UP163526
John Doe — Waukegan, Illinois
UP163526 • Found Apr 8, 2026
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 46 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 77%93 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 52%5'7" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%151 lb vs 165 lb
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue

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.