Crime Solvers Central's unclaimed persons database lists 25,005 unclaimed persons from the United States, 23,431 of them still unclaimed. These are people who have been identified by name, but whose families have not been found or have not come forward, so a medical examiner or coroner is still holding them.
Numbers updated November 14, 2026. Crime Solvers Central has helped close more than 307 cases.
25,005 cases in the United States. Number of open cases in brackets.
There is no single database with every case. These are the main ones and what each is best for.
| Database | Run by | Covers | Area | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NamUs | U.S. Department of Justice | Missing, unidentified and unclaimed persons | U.S. | Free | The official national system and the main source of these cases. |
| County medical examiner and coroner lists | Local agencies | Unclaimed persons in one county | One county | Free | Official contact for claiming a relative; only some counties publish a list. |
| Crime Solvers Central | Independent, volunteer-run | Unclaimed persons plus missing, unidentified and unsolved homicides | U.S. | Free search and details; full summaries for members | Searchable by name next to the missing and unidentified cases. |
Searching, every unclaimed person's name and details, and the first part of each summary are free. Members also get the full summary, every source link and the forum discussions. See membership options.
Journalists and researchers are welcome to cite these numbers. For charts by state, decade, age and sex, see the statistics dashboard.
Someone who has died and been identified by name, but whose next of kin has not been found or has not claimed the body. Medical examiners and coroners list them so relatives can come forward.
Yes. NamUs is the official U.S. system, and some county medical examiners publish their own lists. Crime Solvers Central lists 25,005 unclaimed persons from NamUs, searchable by name.
Contact the medical examiner or coroner listed on the case page and give them the case number. They will explain how to verify that you are next of kin and what happens next.
New cases are imported automatically and existing ones are checked nightly so people who have been claimed are marked. The numbers on this page were last updated November 14, 2026.
Crime Solvers Central is an independent, volunteer-run case research and advocacy site, not a law enforcement agency. In an emergency call 911. Questions? Contact us.
