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

LELAND JOHNSON Missing Person Case

Last seen in Niland, California on Aug 15, 2016

Create Press Release
Create Social Post
Create Flyer

Victim Details

Oct 5, 2021

Oct 5, 2021

LELAND

JOHNSON

61

51

68 inches

165 lbs

180 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Aug 15, 2016

Niland

California

Imperial County

No

107775

Imperial County Sheriff's Office

El Centro

California

Imperial County

92243

Michael Bell

Sheriff Service Officer, MP

328 Applestill Road, California

4422652105

County

Law Enforcement

http://www.icso.org/

1608-1639

Aug 22, 2016

Imperial County Sheriff's Office

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 5, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP84898) and 2 other sources
Leland Johnson, aged 51, was last seen on August 15, 2016, near Niland, California. He was last observed at the 15 North airstrip located within a military bombing range, where he was collecting brass to sell as scrap. Leland was living in the "Slab City" area of the Niland Desert, a well-known off-grid community, and was expected to return to his camp but never did.

His disappearance was reported after he failed to return, and despite searches of the area, no trace of him has been found. Leland is described as a white male, 5'8" tall, weighing around 165 pounds, with brown hair. His disappearance has raised concerns, but the case remains unsolved with little evidence available regarding what may have happened to him. Authorities are still seeking any information that could help resolve this case.
Last Seen: Aug 15, 2016

Links to Additional Sources (2)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Saving Private Ryan - Wikipedia
  • Donors and Members | The Texas Tribune

    • 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.

    79%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP55211
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP55211 • Found Jan 16, 2019
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 51 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 62%167 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 99%198 lb vs 165–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP122559
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP122559 • Found May 13, 2024
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 93%Est. 60–65 vs 51 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 75%102 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 90%139 lb vs 165–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California - unidentified case UP17010
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP17010 • Found Jul 28, 2017
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 51
    Race 100%White
    Location 61%171 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%182 lb vs 165–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — San Diego, California - unidentified case UP133256
    John Doe — San Diego, California
    UP133256 • Found Nov 3, 2024
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 51 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 75%101 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 78%129 lb vs 165–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Los Angeles, California
    UP104480 • Found Mar 22, 2023
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 51 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 62%167 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6"–5'9" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%180–190 lb vs 165–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Hawthorne, California - unidentified case UP88645
    John Doe — Hawthorne, California
    UP88645 • Found Jan 11, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 51 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 61%170 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'11" vs 5'8"
    Weight 91%140 lb vs 165–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown 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)

    Leland Johnson, 51, was last seen August 15, 2016, near Niland, California. He was at the 15 North... ...Read More
    07/11/2023

    Other Missing Cases from Niland, California

    John Neal missing person case in Niland, California

    John Neal

    Missing: Apr 9, 2019
    John Neal, a 49-year-old man, was last seen on April 9, 2019, in Niland, California. At the time of ...Read More
    Tom Peterman, IV missing person case in NILAND, California

    Tom Peterman, IV

    Missing: Apr 1, 2020
    Tom Peterman IV, 37, was last seen on April 1, 2020, in Niland, California. Originally from ...Read More
    Charles Billings missing person case in Niland, California

    Charles Billings

    Missing: Jul 18, 2006
    Charles Edward Billings, 28, was last seen on July 18, 2006, in Imperial County, California, near ...Read More
    Michael Moroni missing person case in Niland, California

    Michael Moroni

    Missing: Aug 21, 2019
    Michael Moroni, a 58-year-old man, was last seen on August 20, 2019, in Imperial County, California. ...Read More
    Edward Steinert missing person case in Niland, California

    Edward Steinert

    Missing: Jun 23, 2013
    Edward Dennis Steinert, a 52-year-old man, disappeared on June 23, 2013, near Niland, California. On ...Read More