Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Reginald Butler missing person case profile photo

Reginald Butler Missing Person Case

Last seen in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on Nov 21, 1996

Victim Details

Mar 17, 2022

Sep 15, 2023

Reginald

Butler

97

68

68 inches

70 inches

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Nov 21, 1996

Portsmouth

New Hampshire

Rockingham County

No

113162

Portsmouth Police Department

Portsmouth

New Hampshire

Rockingham County

03801

3 Junkins Ave, New Hampshire

6034271500

Local

Law Enforcement

www.cityofportsmouth.com/police

96-2744

Portsmouth Police Department

4944

Gray or Partially Gray

Blue

Blue

Oct 7, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP89812) and 2 other sources
Reginald Leroy Butler, a 68-year-old retired naval architect from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was last seen in late November 1996. Butler had designed his own 38-foot sailboat, named *Frolic*, and embarked on a solo journey from Dover Point, New Hampshire, to Florida. The purpose of his voyage was to complete work on the boat during the winter months.

On November 27, 1996, the Coast Guard found *Frolic* wrecked on a jetty in South Carolina, with its dinghy missing. It is speculated that the dinghy might have been lost during a storm. Despite an intensive search operation that involved helicopters and divers, no trace of Butler was ever found. The search was eventually called off, leaving his fate unknown. His case remains open, though there have been no new leads regarding his disappearance.

Given the circumstances and the stormy weather around the time of his disappearance, it's unclear whether Butler was lost at sea or if other factors contributed to his vanishing. His case is listed as an endangered missing person, and any potential leads are still sought by authorities.
Last Seen: Nov 21, 1996

Links to Additional Sources (2)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Portsmouth, NH Area Missing Persons
  • Reginald Butler Obituary - Charlottesville, VA

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (9)

    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 UP11551
    John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts
    UP11551 • Found Jul 3, 2013
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 75 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%48 mi away
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%163 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Lynn, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15537
    John Doe — Lynn, Massachusetts
    UP15537 • Found Aug 4, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%43 mi away
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 88%143 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Brookline, Massachusetts
    UP16032 • Found Apr 1, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 97%Est. 77 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%54 mi away
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 92%146 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    78%Possible
    John Doe — East Boston, Massachusetts
    UP53220 • Found Sep 5, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 68–82 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%50 mi away
    TimingFound 22 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 63%123 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP57694 • Found Feb 18, 2019
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%53 mi away
    TimingFound 22 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%162 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Brocketon, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15538
    John Doe — Brocketon, Massachusetts
    UP15538 • Found Jul 17, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 94%Est. 79–81 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 84%70 mi away
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 25%100 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Ashburnham, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15950
    John Doe — Ashburnham, Massachusetts
    UP15950 • Found Mar 2, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 76%Est. 83 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%65 mi away
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 96%150 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    76%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 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 78%91 mi away
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 80%204 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15715
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP15715 • Found Jul 20, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 83%Est. 60–65 vs 68 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%51 mi away
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%181 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    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.

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (1)

    Has anyone else dug into the weather conditions around the time *Frolic* was found wrecked? I was... ...Read More
    05/30/2023

    Other Missing Cases from Portsmouth, New Hampshire

    Christopher Descavich missing person case in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

    Christopher Descavich

    Missing: Apr 30, 2025
    On April 30, 2025, 14-year-old Christopher Descavich was reported missing from Portsmouth, New ...Read More