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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 (MP22731) and 2 other sources
In the winter of 1974, a 56-year-old man named Nelson Souza vanished from his home in Bay Shore, a community in Suffolk County, New York. On January 6th of that year, he was seen for the last time. His disappearance was brought to the attention of authorities by his friend and roommate, who reported that Nelson had left their shared residence and never came back. At the time he went missing, Nelson was described as being 5'6' tall and weighing approximately 135 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He wore glasses and had a scar on his stomach as well as a birthmark on his forehead. When he was last seen, he was dressed for the cold weather in a brown jacket, beige pants, and brown boots.

The circumstances surrounding Nelson Souza's disappearance are shrouded in uncertainty, yet a few details provide a somber context to his case. It is understood that he was in a period of recovery following a recent stomach surgery. There was a possibility that he was intending to travel to a hospital in Connecticut, presumably for further medical treatment. However, it remains unconfirmed if he ever reached his destination or what his exact plans were after leaving his Bay Shore home. The lack of concrete information has left a void in the timeline of events, making it difficult for investigators and his loved ones to trace his steps from the moment he walked out his door.

Over the decades, the case of Nelson Souza has grown cold, with very little new information emerging to shed light on what might have happened to him. The passage of time has further complicated efforts to uncover the truth, as memories fade and potential evidence is lost. The absence of dental records or DNA information has presented significant challenges to the investigation, limiting the avenues available to identify him should any remains be found. His case is a poignant example of the enduring mystery and heartache that surrounds long-term missing person cases, leaving a family and community with unanswered questions. The investigation into his disappearance remains open, a quiet but persistent search for a man who seemingly vanished without a trace.

Last Seen: Jan 6, 1974

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.

81%Moderate
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP16978
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP16978 • Found Jul 8, 1974
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 56
Race 100%White
Location 73%111 mi away
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP8024
John Doe — New York, New York
UP8024 • Found Dec 6, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 56 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%40 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%122 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP8573
John Doe — New York, New York
UP8573 • Found Sep 8, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 60–75 vs 56 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%40 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP115204
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP115204 • Found Dec 26, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 93%Est. 45–55 vs 56 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%31 mi away, same state
TimingFound 50 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%147 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP11411
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP11411 • Found Jan 12, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 56 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 39 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%147 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Hempstead, New York
UP8861 • Found Jan 3, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 93%Est. 40–55 vs 56 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%20 mi away, same state
TimingFound 37 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%145 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP5218
John Doe — New York, New York
UP5218 • Found Mar 6, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 56 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%40 mi away, same state
TimingFound 34 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%148 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP7748
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP7748 • Found Sep 10, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 56 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%37 mi away, same state
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP10236
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP10236 • Found Jun 27, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 56 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%131 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Somers, New York
UP8443 • Found Sep 8, 1974
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 56
Race 100%White
Location 90%48 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 months after last seen
Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"
Hair 60%Brown vs Black

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.