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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 (MP14177) and 1 other source
Louie Bruinsma, 32, was last seen on October 8, 1978, in Artesia, California. He left his home in his vehicle but never returned. A week later, on October 15, his vehicle was discovered abandoned in the Newhall area of Santa Clarita, California. Prior to his disappearance, Bruinsma had been exhibiting signs of paranoia and erratic speech, leading his family to believe he may have been suffering from a mental breakdown.

At the time of his disappearance, Bruinsma was 6'1" tall, weighed about 170 pounds, and had blonde or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes. He was known to wear eyeglasses and had a neatly trimmed mustache and beard. On the day he went missing, he was dressed in a white pullover sweater with horizontal stripes, a light blue jacket, jeans, and light brown suede shoes.

Despite extensive investigations, there have been few leads, and his case remains unsolved. His family continues to seek closure, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.

Last Seen: Oct 8, 1978

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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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.

82%Moderate
John Doe — Walnut, California
UP3873 • Found Jan 4, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'1"
Weight 96%150 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 50%Red vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
82%Moderate
John Doe — Carson, California
UP4138 • Found Dec 9, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%12 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
81%Moderate
John Doe — Redondo Beach, California - unidentified case UP3738
John Doe — Redondo Beach, California
UP3738 • Found Sep 5, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%18 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10"–6'3" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%185 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
81%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP4216 • Found Sep 13, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%185 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
80%Moderate
John Doe — Long Beach, California - unidentified case UP13324
John Doe — Long Beach, California
UP13324 • Found Sep 6, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 36 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%187 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
80%Moderate
John Doe — Los Angeles, California
UP3333 • Found Dec 20, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 52–62 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%24 mi away, same county
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–6'0" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
80%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP3872 • Found Jan 5, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
80%Moderate
John Doe — Long Beach, California
UP12439 • Found Sep 5, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 84%5'11" vs 6'1"
Weight 89%144 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
80%Moderate
John Doe — California
UP4265 • Found Oct 10, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 18–38 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%16 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
79%Possible
John Doe — Long Beach, California
UP3051 • Found Dec 3, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 39–49 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%11 mi away, same county
TimingFound 27 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9"–5'11" vs 6'1"
Weight 100%180–210 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Blond

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.