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William Chism Missing Person Case

Last seen in Los Angeles, California on May 5, 1980

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Victim Details

Dec 16, 2021

Dec 16, 2021

William

Chism

111

65

68 inches

185 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

May 5, 1980

Los Angeles

California

Los Angeles County

90073

No

110602

Los Angeles Police Department- Adult Missing Persons Unit

Los Angeles

California

Los Angeles County

90012

100 West 1st Street, California

8772755273

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.lapdonline.org/

Los Angeles Police Department- Adult Missing Persons Unit

6709

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 5, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP87307) and 2 other sources
William Elmer Chism, aged 65, was last seen on May 5, 1980, in Los Angeles, California. On the day of his disappearance, Chism visited a VA hospital but never returned home. His case remains a mystery as there has been little information or leads regarding his whereabouts. Although Chism's ex-wife tried to file a missing person's report on the same day he disappeared, she was unable to for reasons that remain unclear. It wasn't until December 2011, over 30 years later, that Chism was officially reported missing by his son.

Despite the passage of time, no significant details have emerged regarding Chism's disappearance. His case is still classified as missing, and the Los Angeles Police Department continues to handle the investigation, though there are few clues as to what might have happened to him.
Last Seen: May 5, 1980

Links to Additional Sources (2)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • People v. Chism - S101984 - Mon, 05/05/2014
  • U.S. Missing Persons - Doe Network

    • 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.

    83%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4093 • Found Mar 4, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 65 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 42%120 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP104480 • Found Mar 22, 2023
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 65 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%11 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 43 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%180–190 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    82%Moderate
    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 65 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%10 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 37 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%182 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP3926 • Found Dec 20, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60–75 vs 65 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 82%150 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 50%Green vs Blue
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4175 • Found Apr 4, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60–75 vs 65 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 84%152 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — California
    UP4327 • Found Oct 19, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 65 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 18 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 60%132 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Venice, California - unidentified case UP3627
    John Doe — Venice, California
    UP3627 • Found Dec 25, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 60–70 vs 65 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%4 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%175 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4174 • Found Apr 19, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 57–75 vs 65 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 94%209 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4195 • Found Aug 24, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 70–90 vs 65 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 63%134 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP4353 • Found Feb 16, 1981
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 45–65 vs 65
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%12 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 9 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 37%117 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 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.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    William Elmer Chism, 65, was last seen May 5, 1980, in Los Angeles after a visit to a VA hospital... ...Read More
    07/17/2024

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