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 (MP92222) and 3 other sources
Herbert Frank, a 52-year-old man from Germany, was last seen on October 30, 1994, in Lee Vining, California. Frank was traveling with 26-year-old Volker Puschkeit on vacation in the United States. The two German nationals had arrived in Los Angeles on October 21 and rented a vehicle for their trip. After winning a substantial amount of money—around $10,000—at a Reno casino, the men were last seen near Mono Lake on November 1, 1994. Four days later, their rental car was found abandoned in a remote area of Mineral County, Nevada, near Lucky Boy Pass. The vehicle still contained their passports and luggage, but the men were nowhere to be found.

Investigators suspect foul play and have treated their disappearance as a possible homicide, particularly given the large amount of money they had won shortly before vanishing. Despite searches, no further clues have surfaced, and the case remains unsolved. Authorities have appealed for information, but the mystery surrounding Frank and Puschkeit's disappearance persists.

Last Seen: Oct 30, 1994

Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

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.

77%Possible
John Doe — San Jose, California
UP127425 • Found Jun 14, 1997
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 52 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 65%151 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 65%139 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3474 • Found Feb 26, 1997
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 42–55 vs 52 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 48%274 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 97%168 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3495 • Found Sep 23, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 42–52 vs 52 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 47%277 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 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.