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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 (MP99351) and 6 other sources
In the quiet seaside town of Barnstable, Massachusetts, the winter of 1980 brought with it a mystery that has endured for decades, leaving a family with unanswered questions and a community with a lingering sense of unease. Twenty-six-year-old Michael Mosher, a 1972 graduate of Canton High School, was last seen on December 1, 1980. His disappearance was officially reported to the Canton Police Department on December 26 of that year, marking the beginning of a long and frustrating investigation into what became of the young man. The circumstances surrounding his last known movements are complex and troubling, pointing to a situation that may have taken a dark and unforeseen turn.

The period leading up to Michael's disappearance was marked by a significant financial windfall. He had recently received a $56,000 insurance settlement, a substantial amount of money at the time. It is believed that this newfound wealth played a central role in the events that followed. In November 1980, Michael reportedly fronted $25,000 to an acquaintance in Boston. Law enforcement is said to have evidence of this transaction, which was intended for the purchase of drugs in Florida. The agreement was that Michael would be repaid $30,000 a week later, a quick and profitable return on his investment. He was last seen in Barnstable when he met with this individual to collect his money. It is believed that Michael had no prior involvement in drug trafficking, which makes his participation in this arrangement all the more perplexing and concerning to those who knew him.

Two weeks after Michael was last seen, a significant piece of evidence in his case surfaced hundreds of miles away. His car was discovered in Waterbury, Connecticut, but its condition only deepened the mystery. The vehicle had been involved in an accident and had an additional 3,000 miles on the odometer, suggesting it had been driven a considerable distance. Investigators found no evidence within the car that shed light on Michael's whereabouts. Law enforcement officials have expressed their belief that Michael Mosher met with foul play. The theory is that he, or someone else, may have driven the car to Florida and then abandoned it in Connecticut. Since his disappearance, there has been no activity on his bank accounts, and checks he was believed to have had with him have never been cashed. The case of Michael Mosher is a haunting one, a story of a young man who vanished after a clandestine meeting involving a large sum of money. The discovery of his damaged car in another state, with thousands of unexplained miles, adds a layer of intrigue and dread to his story. The lack of resolution has left a void in the lives of his loved ones, who are still waiting for answers about what happened to him in the winter of 1980. The official investigation remains open, a cold case file that represents a life interrupted and a story without an ending.

Last Seen: Dec 1, 1980

Possible Unidentified Matches (8)

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 — Medford, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP16439
John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts
UP16439 • Found Jul 25, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%65 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 170–185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Everett, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15890
John Doe — Everett, Massachusetts
UP15890 • Found May 2, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–60 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%62 mi away, same state
TimingFound 35 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%157 lb vs 170–185 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Somerville, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14725
John Doe — Somerville, Massachusetts
UP14725 • Found Dec 13, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 44–46 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%63 mi away, same state
TimingFound 29 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%182 lb vs 170–185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14202
John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts
UP14202 • Found Oct 28, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%84 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11"–6'5" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 170–185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15715
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
UP15715 • Found Jul 20, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 60–65 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 36 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%181 lb vs 170–185 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
76%Possible
John Doe — Lowell, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15888
John Doe — Lowell, Massachusetts
UP15888 • Found Mar 12, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–60 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 80%83 mi away, same state
TimingFound 35 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%156 lb vs 170–185 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Webster, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP12944
John Doe — Webster, Massachusetts
UP12944 • Found Dec 31, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%85 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 99%204 lb vs 170–185 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
75%Possible
John Doe — Weehawken, New Jersey
UP1673 • Found May 1, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–30 vs 26 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 55%204 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 97%150 lb vs 170–185 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown

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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