Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Donald Connell missing person case profile photo

Donald Connell Missing Person Case

Last seen in Newport, Rhode Island on Dec 2, 1986

Create Press Release
Create Social Post
Create Flyer

Victim Details

Nov 5, 2015

Jun 27, 2022

Donald

Connell

67

28

72 inches

150 lbs

180 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Dec 2, 1986

Newport

Rhode Island

Newport County

02840

17476

Newport Police Department

Newport

Rhode Island

Newport County

02840

120 Broadway, Rhode Island

4018471306

Local

Law Enforcement

08-31602-0F

Dec 12, 1986

Newport Police Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 13, 2026


Area Last Seen:

View Videos (1)

Cold Cases: What happened to Donald Connell?

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP30939) and 8 other sources
Donald Connell, a 28-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran, went missing from Newport, Rhode Island, on December 2, 1986. That evening, Connell left his parents' home on Record Street to walk to his sister’s house, which was just one street away. However, he never arrived, and his family assumed that he may have made other plans. Ten days later, on his sister's birthday, Connell was officially reported missing.

There were few leads in the case, and no evidence surfaced to explain Connell’s sudden disappearance. Described as 6'0" tall and weighing between 150 to 180 pounds, Connell had brown hair and brown eyes. Despite search efforts and investigations by local authorities, his whereabouts remain unknown to this day. Connell's case, which continues to puzzle investigators, is classified as endangered missing.

The disappearance of Donald Connell has left his family and the Newport community searching for answers for decades. While no foul play has been officially confirmed, the circumstances surrounding his case are suspicious, and it remains an unsolved mystery.
Last Seen: Dec 2, 1986

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • RI veteran's sudden disappearance still puzzling 38 years later
  • Cold Cases: What happened to Donald Connell? - WPRI.com
  • Donald Joseph Connell - The Charley Project
  • Missing
  • Veteran Doe - Donny Connell is still missing. - Facebook
  • Cold Cases: What happened to Donald Connell? – WPRI.com
  • Cold Cases: What happened to Donald Connell? - YouTube
  • RI - Donald Joseph Connell, 28, Newport, 2 December 1986

    • 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.

    78%Possible
    John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14202
    John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts
    UP14202 • Found Oct 28, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 28 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 79%87 mi away
    TimingFound 14 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11"–6'5" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%165 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP8534
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
    UP8534 • Found Sep 7, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 28 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 66%147 mi away
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%140 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP9217
    John Doe — New York, New York
    UP9217 • Found Jun 6, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 28 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 65%149 mi away
    TimingFound 18 months after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Everett, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15890
    John Doe — Everett, Massachusetts
    UP15890 • Found May 2, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–60 vs 28 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%66 mi away
    TimingFound 29 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%157 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5784
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
    UP5784 • Found Jul 16, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 28 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 66%147 mi away
    TimingFound 16 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP7760
    John Doe — New York, New York
    UP7760 • Found Jan 30, 1994
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 28 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 65%149 mi away
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%135 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP8252
    John Doe — New York, New York
    UP8252 • Found Nov 24, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 28 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 65%149 mi away
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%165 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Bronx, New York - unidentified case UP9068
    John Doe — Bronx, New York
    UP9068 • Found Dec 7, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 28 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 67%139 mi away
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 96%200 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Kingston, New York - unidentified case UP6018
    John Doe — Kingston, New York
    UP6018 • Found Aug 15, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 28 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 67%142 mi away
    TimingFound 20 months after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%185 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Weehawken, New Jersey
    UP1673 • Found May 1, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–30 vs 28 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 65%149 mi away
    TimingFound 17 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 150–180 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.

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (1)

    Donald Connell, a 28-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran, vanished from Newport, Rhode Island, after... ...Read More
    01/12/2024

    Other Missing Cases from Newport, Rhode Island

    Matthew Beltrami missing person case in Newport, Rhode Island

    Matthew Beltrami

    Missing: Apr 1, 2021
    Matthew Beltrami, a 42-year-old detective from West Warwick, Rhode Island, was last seen on April 1 ...Read More