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 (MP64289) and 7 other sources
Brian McCluney, a 37-year-old firefighter from Jacksonville, Florida, went missing on August 17, 2019, after embarking on a fishing trip with his friend, Justin Walker, from Port Canaveral. Both men were experienced firefighters—McCluney was a Navy veteran with survival training, and Walker served with the Fairfax County Fire Department. They left Port Canaveral in McCluney’s 24-foot boat for a fishing expedition but never returned. Despite an extensive search by the U.S. Coast Guard and hundreds of volunteers, covering thousands of square miles from Florida to Georgia, no trace of the men or their boat was found, apart from a tackle bag belonging to McCluney, discovered floating 50 miles off the coast of St. Augustine.

McCluney's family revealed that the boat had experienced mechanical issues in the past, leading them to believe that this might have been a factor in their disappearance. The search for the two firefighters captured national attention, but after days of intense efforts, the Coast Guard officially suspended its search on August 22, 2019, leaving the case unsolved. McCluney’s family and the firefighting community have continued to honor his legacy through memorials and charity efforts, maintaining hope for closure.

Last Seen: Aug 17, 2019

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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.

75%Possible
John Doe — Daytona Beach, Florida - unidentified case UP102295
John Doe — Daytona Beach, Florida
UP102295 • Found Dec 31, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%60 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 months after last seen
Height 52%5'2"–5'10" vs 6'2"

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.