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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 2 sources
On a day that should have been filled with festive anticipation, December 24, 1986, a sense of unease settled over a home in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It was on this Christmas Eve that Melvin Albert Lair, a male resident of the city, was seen for the last time. At approximately 3:00 in the afternoon, he was at his residence. Reports from that time indicate that he was feeling despondent in the period leading up to his disappearance, casting a somber shadow over the holiday season for his loved ones.

Melvin Albert Lair was a man with a distinct appearance. He stood at a height of five feet and seven inches and weighed around 165 pounds. He was a Caucasian male with brown hair and brown eyes. His body was adorned with several tattoos that told a story of his interests and perhaps significant moments in his life. On his left forearm, he had a 'Jack Daniels' logo. His chest bore the iconic Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo, along with a heart inscribed with the letters 'JJ'. A British Bulldog was tattooed on his right upper arm, and a skull was on his left shoulder. A dragon was inked on his middle back, and another tattoo graced his right forearm. These distinguishing marks create a more vivid picture of the man who vanished on that winter afternoon.

The years have passed since Melvin Albert Lair was last seen, and his case remains an open wound for those who knew him. The Niagara Regional Police Service has maintained a file on his disappearance, hoping for any piece of information that might bring closure. The circumstances surrounding his last known moments, particularly his despondent state, have left his family and investigators with lingering questions and concerns. The case of Melvin Albert Lair is a solemn reminder of the many individuals who have gone missing, leaving behind a void and an enduring search for answers. His disappearance is a long-standing mystery in the Niagara region, a story of a man who was there one moment and gone the next, on a day that is for most, a time of togetherness and celebration.

Last Seen: Dec 24, 1986

Possible Unidentified Matches (7)

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP9079
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP9079 • Found Aug 2, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 25%Different state
TimingFound 19 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 90%140 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Tattoo: dragon, arm
79%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP128954
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP128954 • Found Sep 28, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–35 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 25%Different state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%168 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Tattoo: skull, arm
76%Possible
John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP15327
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP15327 • Found Jun 9, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 25%Different state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 84%135 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Tattoo: skull, arm
76%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP3438 • Found Aug 15, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 36–39 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 25%Different state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%164 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
Physical features: Tattoo: skull, arm
75%Possible
John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP15392
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP15392 • Found Oct 23, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 25%Different state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 68%5'4" vs 5'7"
Weight 96%145 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Tattoo: skull
75%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP3565 • Found Nov 18, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–38 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 25%Different state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Tattoo: skull, arm
75%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP9222
John Doe — New York, New York
UP9222 • Found Jun 18, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 35 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 25%Different state
TimingFound 18 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"
Weight 64%120 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Tattoo: skull, arm

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.