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 (MP78723) and 9 other sources
In the fall of 2020, concern grew for a 51-year-old man from Williamstown, New Jersey, named John H. Crankshaw. He was last seen after walking away from his home in Monroe Township, a departure that marked the beginning of a long period of uncertainty for his family and community. There is some public discrepancy regarding the exact date he was last seen, with some reports stating October 27, 2020, while police and other sources have also cited November 28, 2020. Standing at six feet tall and weighing around 195 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes, John was a familiar presence to those who knew him. His disappearance was considered uncharacteristic, prompting his loved ones to worry when he made no further contact.

The Monroe Township Police Department launched an investigation into John's disappearance, appealing to the public for any information that might lead to his whereabouts. Detective Sergeant Kristyn Morris was assigned to the case, and the department encouraged anyone with potential leads to come forward. His case was entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System under the number MP78723, providing a national platform for his information. Despite these efforts and the circulation of his description, the investigation yielded few significant leads. For years, his case remained unresolved, leaving his family and the Williamstown community grappling with unanswered questions and a sense of enduring loss. The lack of updates was a source of frustration and sorrow for all who hoped for his safe return.

Regrettably, the search for John Crankshaw came to a sad conclusion. Remains that were discovered were later confirmed through DNA analysis to be those of Mr. Crankshaw. This confirmation brought an end to the active search, though not to the grief of those who knew him. The overview of this case is one of a sudden disappearance that left a community searching for answers for a prolonged period. The initial mystery surrounding why he walked away from his residence and the subsequent years of searching concluded with the difficult discovery that he was deceased, closing a painful chapter for his family while leaving behind the lasting impact of his loss.

Last Seen: Oct 27, 2020

Possible Unidentified Matches (8)

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 — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP101001 • Found Feb 28, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 51 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'11" vs 6'0"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP151698
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP151698 • Found Oct 13, 2025
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 51 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 52%5'6"–5'8" vs 6'0"
Weight 79%150–155 lb vs 195 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
78%Possible
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP102635
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP102635 • Found Apr 9, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 55–80 vs 51 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 78%91 mi away
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
Weight 77%237 lb vs 195 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 70%Green vs Hazel
76%Possible
John Doe — Waterbury, Connecticut
UP94477 • Found Aug 13, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 51 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 62%165 mi away
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–6'1" vs 6'0"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP81157
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP81157 • Found May 26, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 51
Race 100%White
Location 76%96 mi away
TimingFound 7 months after last seen
Height 52%5'8" vs 6'0"
Weight 92%168 lb vs 195 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
76%Possible
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP75991
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP75991 • Found Nov 19, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 50–75 vs 51
Race 100%White
Location 79%86 mi away
TimingFound 3 weeks after last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"
Weight 65%143 lb vs 195 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
76%Possible
John Doe — Pipersville, Pennsylvania
UP149049 • Found Jun 6, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 18–100 vs 51 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%52 mi away
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
Weight 94%170 lb vs 195 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
75%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP159662 • Found May 22, 2026
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 92%Est. 58–72 vs 51 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%26 mi away
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 68%5'2"–5'9" vs 6'0"

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.