Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 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 (MP102369) and 1 other source
Hanson Bailor Oates, a 49-year-old resident of Lake Worth, Florida, disappeared on March 10, 1983, under suspicious circumstances. At the time of his disappearance, Oates stood 6'1", weighed 180 pounds, and had distinctive features, including gray hair, brown eyes, and several scars on his right arm and elbow. Notably, one of his legs was shorter than the other, though the details of this condition are unclear. He was last seen wearing a white polo shirt and brown slacks.

Despite efforts from law enforcement, Oates was never heard from again, and his case remains unsolved. Foul play is suspected in his disappearance, but no solid leads have emerged in the decades since. Investigators from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office have kept the case open, though they have not released many additional details. There are no known persons of interest or significant updates that have surfaced publicly in the intervening years.

The case has remained a mystery, with Oates’ whereabouts unknown for more than 40 years. His case is listed with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), though it remains one of the many unsolved missing person cases from the 1980s in Florida. Despite the passing of time, his family and community still seek answers regarding what happened to him on that March day in 1983.

Last Seen: Mar 10, 1983

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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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 — Boynton Beach, Florida - unidentified case UP1119
John Doe — Boynton Beach, Florida
UP1119 • Found Oct 5, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 46–60 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
Hair 70%Brown vs Gray
78%Possible
John Doe — Boca Raton, Florida - unidentified case UP835
John Doe — Boca Raton, Florida
UP835 • Found May 7, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%18 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP5752
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP5752 • Found Apr 4, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 68%5'10" vs 6'1"
Weight 80%144 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 40%Brown vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP1158
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP1158 • Found Jul 24, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 46–60 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 36%5'8" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%167 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Key West, Florida - unidentified case UP15407
John Doe — Key West, Florida
UP15407 • Found Jun 11, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–50 vs 49
Race 100%White
Location 59%178 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 months after last seen
Height 84%5'11" vs 6'1"
Weight 98%160 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 40%Brown vs Gray
Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP51780 • Found May 8, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 49
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 weeks after last seen
Height 75%5'8"–6'4" vs 6'1"
75%Possible
John Doe — Florida
UP1207 • Found Mar 24, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 46–60 vs 49 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%35 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen

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.