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 (MP22703) and 2 other sources
In the winter of 1982, a profound and lasting mystery began to unfold in the community of Bay Shore, New York. On February 17th, 50-year-old Bernard Hanson, a Black / African American male, left his home and was never seen or heard from again. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as having gray or partially gray hair and brown eyes. He was reportedly wearing a snorkel coat, black pants, and black lace-up shoes. The circumstances surrounding his departure are starkly brief; he simply left his residence and vanished, leaving behind a void of information and a lifetime of questions for those who knew him.

The investigation into Bernard Hanson's disappearance was handled by the Suffolk County Police Department. Despite their efforts, the case yielded few clues and no significant leads have been publicly disclosed over the decades. The lack of information has made it incredibly difficult for both law enforcement and his loved ones to piece together the events of that day. The passage of time has further complicated the search for answers, turning his case into a cold one, filed away among the many other unsolved disappearances that haunt the region. The silence surrounding his case is a heavy one, with no witnesses or evidence emerging to shed light on his fate.

Decades have now passed since Bernard Hanson was last seen. The world has changed immeasurably, yet the core of his story remains the same: a man who walked out of his home and into obscurity. His case is a somber reminder of the many individuals who go missing each year, their stories often fading from public consciousness as new tragedies emerge. For the families and communities left behind, the lack of resolution is a persistent sorrow. The overview of this case is one of an enduring and painful mystery, marked by an absolute lack of information that could bring any sense of closure.

Last Seen: Feb 17, 1982

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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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.

84%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP9132
John Doe — New York, New York
UP9132 • Found Jan 7, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 92%40 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 150–155 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Bronx, New York - unidentified case UP14078
John Doe — Bronx, New York
UP14078 • Found Jan 8, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 94%33 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 150–155 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP6003
John Doe — New York, New York
UP6003 • Found Dec 4, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 60–70 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 92%39 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 100%143 lb vs 150–155 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP6874
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP6874 • Found Jul 15, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 93%38 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 150–155 lb
Hair 70%Brown vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP7055
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP7055 • Found Sep 15, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 93%38 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 150–155 lb
Hair 70%Black vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP7265
John Doe — New York, New York
UP7265 • Found Jul 26, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 92%40 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 100%145 lb vs 150–155 lb
Hair 70%Black vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Bronx, New York - unidentified case UP7608
John Doe — Bronx, New York
UP7608 • Found Sep 6, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 94%33 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 150–155 lb
Hair 70%Black vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP8012
John Doe — New York, New York
UP8012 • Found Nov 23, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 92%40 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 150–155 lb
Hair 70%Black vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP7979
John Doe — New York, New York
UP7979 • Found Jun 17, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–55 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 92%40 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 99%134 lb vs 150–155 lb
Hair 70%Black vs Gray
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP7527
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP7527 • Found Mar 21, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 50 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'4"–5'7"
Weight 90%127 lb vs 150–155 lb
Hair 40%Black vs Gray
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.

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