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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 (MP55494) and 2 other sources
William Joseph Davis, a 31-year-old real estate agent, disappeared under suspicious circumstances on April 12, 1988, from Brandon, Florida. On the day of his disappearance, Davis was last seen leaving his office on West Lumsden Road to meet with a potential client identified as "Larry Wilson" to show a house in the Woodberry Estates subdivision. That evening, Davis and Wilson were seen arriving at the vacant home, but neither man was seen leaving. Davis never returned home, and days later, his car was found parked outside his apartment with his checkbook tucked under the armrest.

Davis's mother became alarmed when she couldn't reach him after a car accident and noticed he had missed appointments and work. On April 15, 1988, she reported him missing. The investigation took a grim turn when authorities searched the Woodberry Estates house and found clear evidence of a struggle, including bloodstains, which were later confirmed to match Davis's blood type. Additionally, the blood tested positive for HIV, a diagnosis Davis had received just a week before his disappearance.

The man Davis had shown the house to, "Larry Wilson," has never been identified. Described as a Caucasian male in his mid-30s, with thinning brown hair, Wilson claimed he was relocating from Houston, Texas. Despite an extensive investigation, Wilson's true identity remains unknown, and foul play is suspected in the case.

Though more than three decades have passed, the case remains unsolved, with authorities continuing to seek information that could shed light on Davis's fate. The case is classified as endangered missing, and foul play is strongly suspected due to the evidence found at the scene.

Last Seen: Apr 12, 1988

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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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.

84%Moderate
John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP179
John Doe — Tampa, Florida
UP179 • Found Jun 18, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%130 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP582
John Doe — Florida
UP582 • Found Dec 19, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 31
Race 100%White
Location 79%85 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 months after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%131 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP8112
John Doe — Tampa, Florida
UP8112 • Found Nov 8, 2010
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away, same county
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP78
John Doe — Tampa, Florida
UP78 • Found May 21, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–35 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%13 mi away, same county
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 63%172 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Ft Myers, Florida
UP1165 • Found Mar 5, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 77%93 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Orlando, Florida
UP579 • Found Aug 10, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%70 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
79%Possible
John Doe — Tampa, Florida - unidentified case UP195
John Doe — Tampa, Florida
UP195 • Found May 29, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%12 mi away, same county
TimingFound 14 months after last seen
Height 52%6'0" vs 5'8"
Weight 93%117 lb vs 135 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Dover, Florida - unidentified case UP178
John Doe — Dover, Florida
UP178 • Found Mar 22, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 88%Est. 20–30 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 68%5'5" vs 5'8"
Weight 99%149 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Orlando, Florida - unidentified case UP2299
John Doe — Orlando, Florida
UP2299 • Found Nov 11, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%69 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 83%160 lb vs 135 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP2317
John Doe — Florida
UP2317 • Found Jun 23, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 93%Est. 36–45 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 76%98 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
Weight 92%154 lb vs 135 lb

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.