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 (MP23619) and 7 other sources
Brian Joseph Butler, a 36-year-old man from Pacifica, California, went missing on February 16, 2014. He was last seen driving along Highway 1, a scenic route that follows the California coast. The next day, his car was discovered abandoned on the southbound shoulder near the Tom Lantos Tunnels at Devil's Slide, a dangerous area known for its steep cliffs and proximity to the ocean.

At the time of his disappearance, Butler was experiencing severe depression, and his friends and family were concerned that he may have been suicidal. Butler, who worked in sales for Fishnet Security and was an avid hiker, had mentioned a desire to "go off the grid." Despite extensive search efforts and flyers distributed across the region, no trace of him has been found since.

His family continues to search for answers, and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department is still investigating the case as it remains unsolved.

Last Seen: Feb 16, 2014

Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

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.

79%Possible
John Doe — San Leandro, California - unidentified case UP54628
John Doe — San Leandro, California
UP54628 • Found Oct 15, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%20 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4"–5'7" vs 5'6"–5'8"
78%Possible
John Doe — Brisbane, California - unidentified case UP12987
John Doe — Brisbane, California
UP12987 • Found Sep 17, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 88%Est. 20–35 vs 36
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 months after last seen
Height 52%6'0" vs 5'6"–5'8"
Weight 94%175 lb vs 155 lb
75%Possible
John Doe — Santa Clara, California - unidentified case UP129752
John Doe — Santa Clara, California
UP129752 • Found Jun 29, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 36 when missing
Location 91%43 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'6"–5'8"
Weight 77%188 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 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.