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Richard Kemp Missing Person Case

Last seen in Dana Point, California on Jun 18, 2009

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Victim Details

Sep 8, 2022

Nov 2, 2022

Richard

Kemp

75

58

70 inches

73 inches

175 lbs

195 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jun 18, 2009

Dana Point

California

Orange County

No

118170

Orange County Sheriff's Department

Santa Ana

California

Orange County

92703

550 North Flower Street, California

7146477000

County

Law Enforcement

www.ocsd.org

09-110560

Jun 19, 2009

Orange County Sheriff's Department

4903

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 14, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP95105) and 10 other sources
Richard Joseph Kemp, a 58-year-old man from Mission Viejo, California, was last seen on June 18, 2009. On that day, Kemp left his home and boarded the Catalina Express Ferry the next morning from Dana Point Harbor, bound for Avalon Harbor on Catalina Island. He had called his wife just before getting on the ferry, but after that, he disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

Though Kemp's belongings—including his wallet, phone, and backpack—were later found on the ferry, there was no record of him disembarking at Avalon Harbor. An extensive search of the waters between Dana Point and Catalina Island was conducted by the Coast Guard, but no trace of him was found. Investigators suspect that he may have fallen overboard, but the circumstances of his disappearance remain unclear. Kemp left behind his wife and two adult sons, and his case remains unsolved.
Last Seen: Jun 18, 2009

Links to Additional Sources (10)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Richard Joseph Kemp - The Charley Project
  • Video shows missing man boarding, but not leaving, ferry
  • Orange County Man Disappears on Trip to Catalina Island | cbs8.com
  • Man Feared Lost at Sea | Archives | picketfencemedia.com
  • Man's Catalina Island disappearance may be suspicious
  • Coast Guard searching for possible person in the water between ...
  • Missing: Richard Joseph Kemp - 411 Gina
  • Family of Vanished Man Warned Police - Picket Fence Media
  • Authorities end search for man who disappeared on trip to Catalina
  • Richard Joseph Kemp- California- 2009

    • 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.

    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP104480 • Found Mar 22, 2023
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 58 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%51 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–5'9" vs 5'10"–6'1"
    Weight 100%180–190 lb vs 175–195 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Menifee, California
    UP100667 • Found Sep 9, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 58 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%34 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–6'1"
    Weight 94%151 lb vs 175–195 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Commerce, California - unidentified case UP13339
    John Doe — Commerce, California
    UP13339 • Found Jul 7, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 58 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%45 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'10"–6'1"
    Weight 100%163 lb vs 175–195 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Long Beach, California - unidentified case UP13324
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP13324 • Found Sep 6, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 58 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%35 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 5'10"–6'1"
    Weight 100%187 lb vs 175–195 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Buena Park, California - unidentified case UP12758
    John Doe — Buena Park, California
    UP12758 • Found Jul 1, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 58 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%33 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–6'1"
    Weight 100%183 lb vs 175–195 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP133256
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP133256 • Found Nov 3, 2024
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 58 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 87%58 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–6'1"
    Weight 70%129 lb vs 175–195 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP78168
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP78168 • Found Mar 19, 2020
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 45–65 vs 58 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%54 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'10" vs 5'10"–6'1"
    Weight 100%140–160 lb vs 175–195 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP17010
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP17010 • Found Jul 28, 2017
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 58 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 87%57 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'7" vs 5'10"–6'1"
    Weight 100%182 lb vs 175–195 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    79%Possible
    John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP13615
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP13615 • Found Jul 4, 2013
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60–70 vs 58 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%65 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 5'10"–6'1"
    Weight 80%138 lb vs 175–195 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP55211
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP55211 • Found Jan 16, 2019
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 58 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%54 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"–6'1"
    Weight 100%198 lb vs 175–195 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    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 (1)

    Richard Joseph Kemp, 58, of Mission Viejo, California, was last seen June 18, 2009. He left home... ...Read More
    07/12/2024

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