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Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP104967) and 2 other sources
In the autumn of 1984, sixty-year-old Russell Allen Meachum, a male resident of Phoenix, Arizona, was living a transient lifestyle. The last known contact with him was on October 1, 1984, when he was in the Yuma, Arizona area. During a phone call with his daughter, who resided in California, he sounded weary and shared that he was without money or a place to stay. His daughter extended an invitation for him to come and live with her, an offer he seemed to accept but unfortunately, he never arrived. Since that final conversation, his family has not seen or heard from him.

Russell Allen Meachum was born on May 26, 1923, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Lewisburg. He was a veteran of the Marines, having served as a sergeant and a cook before his discharge in November 1945. After his military service, he married and worked as a mechanic. Eventually, he and his family relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as a Caucasian male with black hair and hazel eyes, standing between 5'10' and 6'0' tall and weighing approximately 175 pounds.

The circumstances surrounding Russell's disappearance remain unclear, and for many years, his case did not receive public attention. It wasn't until 2023 that his information was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Information about his life before he vanished was pieced together through public records and genealogical research. The passage of time has made the search for answers more challenging, but the hope is that modern technology and renewed attention to his case might uncover new leads. The Phoenix Police Department is the investigating agency for his case. An overview of the case reveals a vulnerable individual facing hardship who was last in contact with family while in a transient state. The lack of contact since 1984 is the central mystery, leaving his loved ones without answers about his fate.

Last Seen: Oct 1, 1984

Possible Unidentified Matches (9)

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 — Winterhaven, California - unidentified case UP15265
John Doe — Winterhaven, California
UP15265 • Found Dec 20, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 94%Est. 50–59 vs 60 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%3 mi away
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%185 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 30%Blue vs Hazel
79%Possible
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP11050
John Doe — Arizona
UP11050 • Found Oct 20, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–59 vs 60 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%42 mi away, same county
TimingFound 13 months after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
78%Possible
John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP15321
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP15321 • Found Aug 3, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 60 vs 60 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%48 mi away
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
Weight 80%140 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
77%Possible
John Doe — Winterhaven, California
UP15583 • Found Jun 18, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 18–100 vs 60 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%3 mi away
TimingFound 21 months after last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%190 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
76%Possible
John Doe — Bard, California
UP15124 • Found Nov 5, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–75 vs 60 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%9 mi away
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
76%Possible
John Doe — Cathredral City, California
UP7125 • Found Apr 20, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 60 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 70%127 mi away
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
Hair 100%Black vs Black
75%Possible
John Doe — Winterhaven, California
UP15574 • Found Sep 16, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 18–100 vs 60 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%3 mi away
TimingFound 24 months after last seen
Height 52%5'8" vs 6'0"
Weight 91%150 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
75%Possible
John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP15576
John Doe — Calexico, California
UP15576 • Found Sep 6, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 18–100 vs 60 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%48 mi away
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
75%Possible
John Doe — Indio, California
UP7126 • Found Dec 21, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 60 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 72%113 mi away
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"

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.

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