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John Deeny Missing Person Case

Last seen in Janesville, Minnesota on Mar 20, 1973

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Victim Details

Jun 17, 2013

Jan 9, 2024

John

Deeny

72

19

68 inches

175 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Mar 20, 1973

Janesville

Minnesota

Le Sueur County

No

31319

Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office

Le Center

Minnesota

Le Sueur County

56057

88 South Park Avenue, Minnesota

5073574440

County

Law Enforcement

http://www.co.le-sueur.mn.us/departments/sheriff/index.php

11006348

Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office

Brown

Unknown

Unknown

Oct 9, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP20652) and 10 other sources
John Patrick Deeny, a 19-year-old from Janesville, Minnesota, was last seen leaving his home on March 20, 1973. Since that day, he has never been heard from again, and his disappearance remains a mystery. At the time he went missing, John was 5'7" to 5'8" tall and weighed approximately 175 pounds. He had brown hair and distinctive surgical scars on his thighs, resulting from a surgery he underwent as an infant.

Despite efforts to locate him, very little information has emerged over the decades. There were no clear leads or sightings after he left his residence, and no further details have surfaced regarding what may have happened to him. His case remains open and unsolved, with the Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office continuing to handle the investigation. DNA is available in his case, but no matching results have been found to date.

John's disappearance remains one of Minnesota's long-standing cold cases, with law enforcement still seeking any information that might help bring answers to his family.
Last Seen: Mar 20, 1973

Links to Additional Sources (10)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • 50 years since John Deeny
  • John Patrick Deeny - The Charley Project
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • John Deeny | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • 5184DMMN - John Patrick Deeny - Doe Network
  • John Patrick Deeny, 19, was last seen on March 20, 1973 (five days ...
  • MN - John Patrick Deeny, 19, Janesville, 20 Mar 1973 - Websleuths
  • [PDF] John Deeny - Missing Person Bulletin
  • John Deeny: 19, missing 53 years from his home in Janesville ...
  • 19-year-old John Deeny last seen 53 years ago at his ... - Instagram

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (6)

    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.

    78%Possible
    John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota
    UP124186 • Found Sep 25, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%43 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 23 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 98%156 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota - unidentified case UP763
    John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota
    UP763 • Found Dec 16, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%43 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 31 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 70%131 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — St Paul, Minnesota
    UP148173 • Found May 23, 2025
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%46 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 52 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 96%154 lb vs 175 lb
    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 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 40%347 mi away
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 42%114 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Physical features: Scar: surgery, thigh
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Burnsville, Minnesota - unidentified case UP4743
    John Doe — Burnsville, Minnesota
    UP4743 • Found Aug 24, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%32 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 32 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
    Weight 57%123 lb vs 175 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Prior Lake, Minnesota
    UP4815 • Found Sep 27, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%24 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 31 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
    Hair 60%Black 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)

    John Patrick Deeny was 19 when he was last seen leaving his home in Janesville, Minnesota, on March... ...Read More
    05/03/2024

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