Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Donald Huntress missing person case profile photo

Donald Huntress Missing Person Case

Last seen in Laguna Beach, California on Jul 4, 2001

Create Press Release
Create Social Post
Create Flyer

Victim Details

Nov 1, 2022

Nov 1, 2022

Donald

Huntress

58

33

66 inches

135 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jul 4, 2001

Laguna Beach

California

Orange County

No

121291

Orange County Sheriff's Department

Santa Ana

California

Orange County

92703

Casey Rominger

Investigative Assistant

550 North Flower Street, California

7146477000

County

Law Enforcement

www.ocsd.org

01-1362074

Jul 4, 2001

Orange County Sheriff's Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 11, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP96961) and 2 other sources
Donald Jason Huntress, a 33-year-old man, went missing on July 4, 2001, while free diving with friends in Emerald Bay, just off the coast of Laguna Beach, California. Huntress, along with his companions, was aboard an 18-foot boat about 200 yards offshore when he dove into the water. After resurfacing briefly, he went back under and was never seen again. Despite search efforts by his friends, including diving back into the water and swimming ashore, no trace of Huntress was found.

A grid-style search was conducted by divers from the Orange County Sheriff's Department, but no signs of Huntress surfaced. He was described as 5'6" tall, weighing about 135 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. His case remains unsolved, and he is presumed to have been lost in the water.
Last Seen: Jul 4, 2001

Links to Additional Sources (2)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Divers Search for Man Who Vanished Off Coast - Los Angeles Times
  • Briefly in the news - Los Angeles Times

    • 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 — Commerce, California - unidentified case UP13339
    John Doe — Commerce, California
    UP13339 • Found Jul 7, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%38 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'6"
    Weight 79%163 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Glendale, California
    UP3121 • Found Nov 16, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 34–44 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%49 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
    Weight 98%150 lb vs 135 lb
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Long Beach, California
    UP7575 • Found Jan 19, 2010
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 32–46 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%27 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%130 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP2984
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP2984 • Found May 14, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–43 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%38 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'3"–5'5" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%107–140 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Indio, California
    UP17830 • Found Jul 26, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 78%91 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%142 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — South Gate, California
    UP10986 • Found Oct 2, 2012
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–38 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%38 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–6'1" vs 5'6"
    Weight 87%157 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Beaumont, California - unidentified case UP8450
    John Doe — Beaumont, California
    UP8450 • Found Oct 9, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 93%Est. 39 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%54 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'4" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%141 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — California - unidentified case UP3032
    John Doe — California
    UP3032 • Found Mar 24, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%44 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'6"
    Weight 93%153 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP3085
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP3085 • Found Jul 11, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 79%Est. 40–59 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%47 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
    Weight 98%150 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Calexico, California - unidentified case UP13253
    John Doe — Calexico, California
    UP13253 • Found Nov 13, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 66%145 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 16 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%140 lb vs 135 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 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.

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (1)

    Donald Jason Huntress, 33, disappeared on July 4, 2001, while free diving with friends in Emerald... ...Read More
    11/04/2024

    Other Missing Cases from Laguna Beach, California

    Christopher Smith missing person case in Laguna Beach, California

    Christopher Smith

    Missing: Jun 4, 2010
    Christopher Ryan Smith, a 31-year-old entrepreneur from Laguna Beach, California, was last seen on ...Read More
    John Belloni missing person case in Laguna Beach, California

    John Belloni

    Missing: Apr 29, 1996
    John Paul Belloni, a 46-year-old man, was last seen on April 29, 1996, at Main Beach in Laguna ...Read More
    Gregory Tackett missing person case in Laguna Beach, California

    Gregory Tackett

    Missing: Mar 1, 1996
    Gregory Louis Tackett, a 22-year-old man from Laguna Beach, California, was last seen on February ...Read More
    William Henry missing person case in Laguna Beach, California

    William Henry

    Missing: Jul 20, 1998
    William James Henry, aged 30, went missing on July 20, 1998, from Laguna Beach, California. ...Read More