Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP54855) and 6 other sources
On a late autumn day in 1978, a young man named Paul Michael Mercurio, aged 20, vanished from Bardonia, New York. It was November 24th when he was last seen, operating a gray 1966 Buick Vista Cruiser station wagon. At the time of his disappearance, he was dressed in a gray zipper sweatshirt, blue jeans, and size 11 sneakers. Paul was described as having long brown hair, brown eyes, and a distinguishing scar on his chin. The day before he went missing, he made a cryptic comment to a friend, suggesting they would be reading about him in the paper the following day. This statement has been a focal point of speculation in the years since he was last seen.

The circumstances surrounding Paul Mercurio's disappearance are shrouded in mystery, with very few leads for investigators to follow. The 1966 Buick he was driving, a vehicle his brother described as a 'piece of junk,' has never been found, registered, or impounded in any state since that day in 1978. This lack of evidence has significantly hampered the investigation. His family has expressed that they do not believe he simply ran away, as he left behind his personal belongings and money in a bank account that was never touched. Despite the passage of time, authorities have continued to investigate potential leads and compare his case to unidentified remains, but none have resulted in a conclusive match.

Decades later, the disappearance of Paul Mercurio remains an unresolved and poignant cold case. The perplexing nature of his last known statement, coupled with the complete disappearance of both him and his vehicle, has left his loved ones and investigators with more questions than answers. The case serves as a somber reminder of the enduring pain and uncertainty that families of missing persons face. Friends from his graduating class at Clarkstown South High School remember him fondly, though they remain baffled by his sudden vanishing. The investigation into what happened to Paul Mercurio continues, with the hope that one day, the truth will come to light and provide closure to those who have waited so long for answers.

Last Seen: Nov 24, 1978

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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP6047
John Doe — New York, New York
UP6047 • Found May 1, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%23 mi away, same state
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%154 lb vs 160–170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP7760
John Doe — New York, New York
UP7760 • Found Jan 30, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 90%135 lb vs 160–170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP8534
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP8534 • Found Sep 7, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 96%140 lb vs 160–170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Bronx, New York - unidentified case UP8090
John Doe — Bronx, New York
UP8090 • Found Jun 26, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%19 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%145 lb vs 160–170 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Weehawken, New Jersey
UP1673 • Found May 1, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%23 mi away
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 160–170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Bear Creek Township, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP15764
John Doe — Bear Creek Township, Pennsylvania
UP15764 • Found May 28, 1979
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 17–22 vs 20
Race 100%White
Location 78%89 mi away
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%180 lb vs 160–170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP5555
John Doe — New York, New York
UP5555 • Found Aug 7, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 29 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 160–170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5784
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5784 • Found Jul 16, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 24 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 160–170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP8460
John Doe — New York, New York
UP8460 • Found Aug 20, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 160–170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Bronx, New York - unidentified case UP7332
John Doe — Bronx, New York
UP7332 • Found May 6, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%19 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 160–170 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.