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Frank Hanson Missing Person Case

Last seen in Cranston, Rhode Island on Jul 12, 1947

Victim Details

Sep 16, 2023

May 17, 2024

Frank

Hanson

94

15

68 inches

140 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jul 12, 1947

Cranston

Rhode Island

Providence County

02920

No

129822

Cranston Police Department

Cranston

Rhode Island

Providence County

02920

5 Garfield Avenue, Rhode Island

4019422211

Local

Law Enforcement

www.cranstonpoliceri.com

21-15955-OF

Cranston Police Department

na

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 8, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP108458) and 11 other sources
Frank Albin Hanson Jr., a 15-year-old boy from Cranston, Rhode Island, disappeared on July 12, 1947, under mysterious circumstances. That day, Frank participated in a sailboat race at the Edgewood Yacht Club, where he won and was expected to return for the awards ceremony later that evening. However, Frank’s mother had instructed him to come home after the race. Instead, around 7 p.m., Frank stopped at a local store where a friend was working and mentioned that they might see each other the next day. This was the last confirmed sighting of Frank.

Frank was a good student with no known issues at home, and he had not indicated any intention of running away. However, he was known to hitchhike, a fact he kept from his parents, leading some to believe he may have encountered foul play. His parents became concerned when he didn’t return home that night, and police immediately began questioning friends and searching the area.

Police tracked Frank’s scent to an abandoned railway trestle near the Pawtuxet River, a shortcut Frank often used. Though there were initial suspicions that he may have fallen and drowned, no body was ever recovered, despite several reported sightings of a body in the river in the following days. Frank’s case remains unsolved, and his family continues to seek closure.

In 2023, a memorial bench was placed near his parents' grave as a tribute, but the mystery of his disappearance continues to baffle investigators.
Last Seen: Jul 12, 1947

Links to Additional Sources (11)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Still missing - The Providence Journal
  • No clues
  • Frank Albin Hanson Jr. - The Charley Project
  • Frank Albin Hanson Jr. Did a Rhode Island boy meet with foul play ...
  • Whatever Happened to Frank Hanson? | by Siggy - Fighting Monsters
  • Frank Albin “Sonny” Hanson Jr. (1931-1947) - Find a Grave Memorial
  • 5954DMRI - Frank Albin Hanson Jr - Doe Network
  • RI - Frank Hanson, 15, Cranston, 12 July 1947 | Websleuths
  • Frank Albin “Sonny” Hanson Jr. (1931-1947)
  • Frank Albin Hanson Jr Age 15 DOB 9-21-1931 Missing 7- ...
  • We may never know what happened to Frank Hanson Jr ... - Instagram

    • 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.

    78%Possible
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15937
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP15937 • Found Jun 20, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 47 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%47 mi away
    TimingFound 59 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%133 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15944
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP15944 • Found May 16, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 43 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away
    TimingFound 59 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%131 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15425
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP15425 • Found Mar 2, 1982
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away
    TimingFound 35 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Sharon, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP16369
    John Doe — Sharon, Massachusetts
    UP16369 • Found Jun 6, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–22 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%29 mi away
    TimingFound 39 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%135 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    76%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 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%47 mi away
    TimingFound 62 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 56%182 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — North Attleborough, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15501
    John Doe — North Attleborough, Massachusetts
    UP15501 • Found Apr 11, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%15 mi away
    TimingFound 60 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'5" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%153 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Leominster, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15945
    John Doe — Leominster, Massachusetts
    UP15945 • Found May 15, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 63 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%55 mi away
    TimingFound 59 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'5" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%136 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP11551
    John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts
    UP11551 • Found Jul 3, 2013
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 75 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%49 mi away
    TimingFound 66 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 87%163 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — East Boston, Massachusetts
    UP53220 • Found Sep 5, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 68–82 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%48 mi away
    TimingFound 71 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 96%123 lb vs 140 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Marlboro, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15801
    John Doe — Marlboro, Massachusetts
    UP15801 • Found Sep 14, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–57 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%41 mi away
    TimingFound 59 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%149 lb vs 140 lb
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue

    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.

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    Forum Posts (2)

    I find it intriguing that the police were able to track Frank’s scent to the abandoned railway... ...Read More
    08/20/2024
    I've been thinking a lot about Frank Hanson's case lately, especially the part about him being a... ...Read More
    11/25/2023

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