Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP4615) and 8 other sources
Michael James Gaughan, aged 17, was last heard from on July 20, 1975, in El Paso, Texas. He made a long-distance call to his parents in New Mexico from a pay phone at 7:15 a.m., informing them that he had car trouble and would be home later that day. However, Michael never arrived, and this phone call was the last contact anyone had with him.

Two days later, on July 22, the vehicle Michael had been driving was found abandoned in the desert, west of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Despite an extensive search, no sign of him was found, and he has been missing ever since. Foul play is suspected in his disappearance, but no solid leads have emerged over the decades.

Michael was described as 5'7" to 5'8", weighing between 135 and 145 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He had a chipped front tooth and a distinctive zig-zag scar, possibly accompanied by a homemade tattoo, on his left forearm. Authorities continue to investigate his case, but it remains unsolved.

Last Seen: Jul 20, 1975

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — Texas
UP3676 • Found Sep 27, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 19–24 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%157 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP3246 • Found Jan 13, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 28 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%127 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
78%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP3677 • Found Aug 25, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 27–36 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
78%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP3732 • Found May 19, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
77%Possible
John Doe — El Paso, Texas
UP3308 • Found Mar 16, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 27 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 36%197 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — New Mexico
UP145875 • Found Feb 4, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%52 mi away
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8"–6'0" vs 5'7"–5'8"
77%Possible
John Doe — New Mexico
UP148977 • Found Aug 26, 1982
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 12–20 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 78%89 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'10" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%130–135 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
76%Possible
John Doe — Santa Teresa, New Mexico
UP134704 • Found Jul 19, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%11 mi away
TimingFound 49 years after last seen
Height 75%5'0"–5'8" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP3290 • Found Sep 1, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 37–47 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 27 years after last seen
Height 68%5'4" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 100%130 lb vs 135–145 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
75%Possible
John Doe — Santa Teresa, New Mexico
UP145840 • Found Oct 20, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%11 mi away
TimingFound 10 years after last seen

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.