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Theodore Hoerstman Missing Person Case

Last seen in Dubuque, Iowa on Dec 6, 1982

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Victim Details

Feb 17, 2015

Mar 21, 2024

Theodore

Hoerstman

88

45

69 inches

175 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Dec 6, 1982

Dubuque

Iowa

Dubuque County

23794

Dubuque Police Department

Dubuque

Iowa

Dubuque County

52001

770 Iowa Street, Iowa

5635894410

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.cityofdubuque.org/209/Police

454L82

Dec 6, 1982

Dubuque Police Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 6, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP27745) and 12 other sources
Theodore Anthony "Ted" Hoerstman, a 45-year-old man from Dubuque, Iowa, was reported missing on December 6, 1982. He was described as a disabled adult, though the specific nature of his disability is not publicly known. At the time of his disappearance, he was 5-foot-9, weighed 175 pounds, and had brown hair and brown eyes. He had a mustache and several distinguishing marks, including a one-inch appendectomy scar, a scar on his right calf, and a tattoo of the name "Sharon" on his lower right arm.

Very little information has been made publicly available regarding the specific circumstances surrounding Hoerstman's disappearance. He was last seen in Dubuque on that early December day and has not been heard from since. The case of his disappearance remains unsolved. He left behind a wife and two daughters. His wife passed away in 2010.

Initially, Hoerstman's case was listed with the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Missing Person Information Clearinghouse. However, in 2011, his name was removed from the site. Authorities now presume that he is deceased, and have noted that they believe he died shortly after he went missing. He has since been declared legally dead.
Last Seen: Dec 6, 1982

Links to Additional Sources (12)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Theodore Anthony
  • Theodore Anthony Hoerstman - The Charley Project
  • Iowa Cold Cases - It's been 33 years since Theodore... - Facebook
  • 83DMIA - Theodore Anthony Hoerstman - Doe Network
  • Cold Cases in Dubuque
  • Case File 83DMIA - The Doe Network
  • 100 gather in Dubuque to remember those killed, missing
  • Dubuque Day of Remembrance: Families seek closure for grief
  • IA - Theodore Anthony Hoerstman, 45, Disabled, Dubuque, ...
  • Theodore Hoerstman (1937-1982) - Memorials
  • Theodore Anthony Ted Hoerstman - Missing In Iowa

    • 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.

    77%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP128949 • Found Aug 23, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 45 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 62%167 mi away
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%174 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Illinois
    UP14363 • Found Mar 9, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 39–49 vs 45 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 63%161 mi away
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%180 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP128939
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP128939 • Found Dec 16, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 45 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 63%161 mi away
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%163 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP124862
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP124862 • Found Oct 14, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–59 vs 45 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 63%161 mi away
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
    Weight 72%133 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP8357 • Found Oct 8, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 45 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 63%158 mi away
    TimingFound 24 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP128976
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP128976 • Found Nov 20, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 45 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 64%157 mi away
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 42%114 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP128924
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP128924 • Found Dec 25, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–49 vs 45 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 63%161 mi away
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
    Weight 68%130 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP129007
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP129007 • Found Apr 12, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 45 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 63%161 mi away
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%169 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Blue 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)

    Theodore Anthony Ted Hoerstman, 45, of Dubuque, Iowa, was reported missing on December 6, 1982. He... ...Read More
    11/19/2023

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