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 (MP64377) and 7 other sources
In the winter of 1990, a family's life was forever altered by the unexplained disappearance of Maynard Jose James. At 29 years old, Maynard was last seen on December 20th in Chicago, Illinois. On that day, he departed from his grandmother's residence and seemingly vanished without a trace. Since that time, his family has not seen or heard from him, leaving a void of unanswered questions and lingering hope for his return. Maynard was a father to three children, whose lives have been profoundly impacted by his absence.

Maynard is described as a Black/African American male with brown hair and brown eyes. At the time he went missing, he stood between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed between 160 and 175 pounds. A notable and distinguishing physical characteristic is a significant scar, measuring between six and twelve inches in length, on one of his arms—a remnant of a childhood injury. When last seen, he was wearing a mustache. The investigation into his disappearance is being handled by the Chicago Police Department's Area Central detectives.

Decades have passed since Maynard James was last seen, and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain a painful mystery for his loved ones. The case, while not actively in the public spotlight, represents a deep and unresolved loss for a family that continues to seek answers. The lack of any contact or new information over the years has only compounded their grief and uncertainty. The overview of this case is one of sudden departure followed by a complete and enduring silence, a heart-wrenching reality for a family left to wonder what became of their son and father after he walked out of his grandmother's home on that cold December day.

Last Seen: Dec 20, 1990

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 — Chicago, Illinois
UP125601 • Found Dec 3, 1990
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 29
Race 100%Black
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound same day as last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 85%131 lb vs 160–175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP122389 • Found Oct 11, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 29 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 100%143 lb vs 160–175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP123551
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP123551 • Found Feb 19, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 29 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%8 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 100%162 lb vs 160–175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP128953 • Found Oct 28, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 29
Race 100%Black
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 90%200 lb vs 160–175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Gary, Indiana - unidentified case UP13482
John Doe — Gary, Indiana
UP13482 • Found Jan 22, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–29 vs 29 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 97%19 mi away
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 100%154 lb vs 160–175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP11185 • Found Aug 5, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 29 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 100%151 lb vs 160–175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP117204 • Found Jul 5, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 29 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 100%144 lb vs 160–175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP139136 • Found Jul 27, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 29 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 100%135–150 lb vs 160–175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP50887
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP50887 • Found Jun 1, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 29 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 27 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 100%167 lb vs 160–175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP129211 • Found Oct 17, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 29 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'5"–5'7"
Weight 100%169 lb vs 160–175 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.