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 (MP9220) and 6 other sources
Gerald Wayne Orlando, a 27-year-old man, was last seen in Houston, Texas, on September 6, 1976. He has not been heard from since, and his case remains unsolved decades later. Orlando was described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes, standing between 5'10" and 6'1" tall, and weighing approximately 180 to 190 pounds. He had a distinctive tattoo of a panther on his right forearm, which could be a key identifying feature.

At the time of his disappearance, Orlando was driving a tan or possibly burgundy 1975 or 1976 Ford Granada. This vehicle was later found abandoned at the Addicks Reservoir in Houston, but there were no further clues about his whereabouts. Very few details have emerged since he vanished, and the circumstances of his disappearance remain unclear.

Authorities, including the Houston Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety, continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward. Despite the passing of time, the case has not been closed, and investigators still hope to uncover new leads that might help bring closure to this long-standing mystery.

Last Seen: Sep 6, 1976

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.

85%Strong
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP4621
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4621 • Found Jul 16, 1981
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 180–190 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
85%Strong
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4638 • Found Apr 19, 1980
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 98%210 lb vs 180–190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
85%Strong
John Doe — Galveston, Texas
UP4639 • Found Apr 10, 1980
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–27 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%47 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 180–190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP4581
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4581 • Found Sep 27, 1983
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 98%160 lb vs 180–190 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4648 • Found Nov 16, 1979
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%6'2" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 180–190 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP599
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP599 • Found Nov 5, 2002
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–45 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%202 lb vs 180–190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP4602
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4602 • Found Jun 1, 1982
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 93%155 lb vs 180–190 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP2248 • Found Nov 22, 1980
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP957 • Found May 30, 1977
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 27
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 9 months after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–6'1"
82%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP12728 • Found Jul 18, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away, same county
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'10"–6'1"
Weight 100%172 lb vs 180–190 lb
Hair 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.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.