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 (MP113638) and 9 other sources
John William Anglin, 32, was last seen on June 11, 1962, in San Francisco, California, as one of three infamous inmates who escaped from Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Anglin, along with his brother Clarence Anglin and fellow prisoner Frank Morris, executed one of the most daring prison escapes in U.S. history. The trio used handmade tools to dig through the walls of their cells, climbed to the roof of the prison, and launched a makeshift raft constructed from raincoats into the frigid waters of the San Francisco Bay.

The U.S. Marshals and FBI launched an extensive search, but despite finding some personal belongings in the water, including a paddle and life vest, no bodies were ever recovered, and the men were never conclusively found. Authorities initially believed the escapees likely drowned in the treacherous currents of the bay. However, over the years, numerous leads, sightings, and pieces of evidence have surfaced, suggesting that at least one or more of the men might have survived.

In 2013, a letter allegedly written by John Anglin was sent to the San Francisco Police Department, claiming he was still alive, but its authenticity remains in question. The case remains open, with the U.S. Marshals still treating Anglin and his co-escapees as fugitives. Their escape continues to be one of the most enduring mysteries in criminal history.

Last Seen: Jun 11, 1962

Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

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.

81%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP12134 • Found Jul 2, 1970
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
80%Moderate
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP17718 • Found Sep 9, 1990
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%6 mi away, same state
TimingFound 28 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 91%160 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 70%Gray vs Blue
80%Moderate
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5840 • Found Mar 2, 1974
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 18–35 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
Weight 99%155 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 100%Blond vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Berkeley, California - unidentified case UP12992
John Doe — Berkeley, California
UP12992 • Found Nov 2, 2010
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%9 mi away, same state
TimingFound 48 years after last seen
Height 84%6'0" vs 5'10"
Weight 87%117 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5898 • Found Dec 18, 1983
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–75 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 84%165 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5865 • Found Apr 3, 1980
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
79%Possible
John Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP146037
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP146037 • Found Oct 10, 2014
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 52 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%127 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
78%Possible
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP17743 • Found Feb 17, 1987
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 33–39 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%6 mi away, same state
TimingFound 25 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 91%160 lb vs 140 lb
Hair 10%Black vs Blond
78%Possible
John Doe — San Rafael, California
UP17745 • Found Jan 27, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%12 mi away, same state
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
78%Possible
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP17772 • Found Jan 4, 1973
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%6 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 70%175 lb vs 140 lb

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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