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Michael Pickering Missing Person Case

Last seen in Victorville, California on Apr 16, 1971

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Victim Details

Nov 17, 2014

Apr 27, 2018

Michael

Pickering

75

20

72 inches

73 inches

130 lbs

140 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Apr 16, 1971

Victorville

California

San Bernardino County

92392

16013

San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner

San Bernardino

California

,

071404352

Nov 12, 2014

San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner

Blond/Strawberry

Blue

Blue

Oct 1, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP26804) and 4 other sources
Michael Lee Pickering, a 20-year-old man, was last seen on April 16, 1971, in Victorville, California. He informed his family that he was planning to hitchhike to San Francisco and expected to return within a few days. However, Michael never returned home, and no further contact has been made with him since. At the time of his disappearance, Michael stood between 6'0" and 6'1", weighing 130 to 140 pounds, with blond or strawberry hair and blue eyes. He had a distinctive feature: a deformed right ear.

Known by the nickname "Zappa," Michael left no known clues or personal belongings behind that could aid in the investigation, and there is no clear indication of foul play. His case remains unsolved, and authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has kept the investigation open, but after decades, no new leads have surfaced.

The lack of any significant developments over the years has left this case as an enduring mystery. Investigators remain hopeful for answers.
Last Seen: Apr 16, 1971

Links to Additional Sources (4)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP26804
  • Michael Pickering | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Disappearance of Michael Lee "Zappa" Pickering
  • Missing Person from NAMPN, 1970 to 1979 - Poli-con-deaths

    • 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.

    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Walnut, California
    UP3873 • Found Jan 4, 1991
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%41 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 50%Red vs Blond
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Anaheim, California
    UP7647 • Found Jan 1, 1972
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–23 vs 20
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%53 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 57%180 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 50%Red vs Blond
    Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Bloomington, California - unidentified case UP2613
    John Doe — Bloomington, California
    UP2613 • Found Jun 20, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 15–20 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%29 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 100%146 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Littlerock, California
    UP57084 • Found Sep 20, 1980
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 23–30 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%32 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9"–6'0" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Mount Baldy, California
    UP4410 • Found Mar 28, 1979
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 17–21 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'7"–5'10" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP8840 • Found Jun 18, 1974
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%66 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'2" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 49%184 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Wilmington, California - unidentified case UP72085
    John Doe — Wilmington, California
    UP72085 • Found Apr 22, 1973
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 17–25 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 84%68 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 75%5'2"–5'10" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 100%135–160 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Riverside, California - unidentified case UP7027
    John Doe — Riverside, California
    UP7027 • Found Jun 18, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%35 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 26 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 76%170 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Barstow, California - unidentified case UP2573
    John Doe — Barstow, California
    UP2573 • Found Mar 15, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–40 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%36 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 100%129 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
    Eyes 50%Green vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP12439 • Found Sep 5, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%66 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"–6'1"
    Weight 100%144 lb vs 130–140 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue

    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)

    Michael Lee Pickering was 20 when he was last seen in Victorville, California, on April 16, 1971. He... ...Read More
    11/26/2023

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