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298 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 (MP81101) and 2 other sources
In the coastal borough of Manasquan, New Jersey, the disappearance of 61-year-old Timothy D. Riel continues to be a source of quiet concern and unanswered questions. Last seen on April 15, 2021, the circumstances surrounding his vanishing are both sparse and unsettling. His last known location was on the local beach, a place of recreation and tranquility that has since become the focal point of a perplexing mystery. The discovery of his wallet and keys left behind on the sand adds a layer of complexity to the case, suggesting that his departure may not have been planned. Further adding to the enigma, security cameras captured images of him on the beach, providing a final, silent testament to his presence before he disappeared.

At the time he went missing, Timothy Riel was described as a white male, standing at 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 150 pounds. He had blond or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes. These details, disseminated by the Manasquan Police Department, have been crucial in the ongoing efforts to locate him. The report of his disappearance was officially filed on April 16, 2021, sparking an investigation that has yet to yield definitive answers. The case, registered under number 21-3835 with the Manasquan Police Department, remains an active and open investigation, a testament to the lingering hope of uncovering the truth behind his sudden absence.

The lack of new information has left both his loved ones and the wider community in a state of prolonged uncertainty. With no clear indications of his subsequent whereabouts or the reasons for his disappearance, the case of Timothy Riel serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the deep void left behind when someone vanishes without a trace. The overview of the case is one of a man last seen in a public place, with his essential belongings left behind, and a digital footprint that ends at the water's edge. The mystery of what happened to Timothy Riel on that spring day remains unsolved, a poignant and unresolved chapter in the life of the Manasquan community.

Last Seen: Apr 15, 2021

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP86656
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP86656 • Found Nov 14, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 65–90 vs 61
Race 100%White
Location 94%32 mi away
TimingFound 7 months after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
Weight 80%120 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP111096
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP111096 • Found Oct 26, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 60–70 vs 61 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%59 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
Weight 96%132 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Blond
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP151698
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP151698 • Found Oct 13, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 93%Est. 45–60 vs 61 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%57 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'8" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%150–155 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
78%Possible
John Doe — New Rochelle, New York
UP109779 • Found May 4, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 61 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%56 mi away
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
Weight 13%82 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Blond
78%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP101001 • Found Feb 28, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 93%Est. 45–60 vs 61 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%59 mi away
TimingFound 23 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'11" vs 5'9"
78%Possible
John Doe — Manhattan, New York - unidentified case UP131734
John Doe — Manhattan, New York
UP131734 • Found Sep 30, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 45–65 vs 61 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%45 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%143 lb vs 150 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Waterbury, Connecticut
UP94477 • Found Aug 13, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 61 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 73%112 mi away
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–6'1" vs 5'9"
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
77%Possible
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP80386
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP80386 • Found May 2, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 55–80 vs 61
Race 100%White
Location 93%37 mi away
TimingFound 2 weeks after last seen
Height 68%5'6" vs 5'9"
Weight 50%198 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
77%Possible
John Doe — Newark, New Jersey - unidentified case UP144221
John Doe — Newark, New Jersey
UP144221 • Found Dec 29, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 61 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%45 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 68%5'6" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%142 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 10%Black vs Blond
76%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP159662 • Found May 22, 2026
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 61 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%49 mi away
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 75%5'2"–5'9" vs 5'9"

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.