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 (MP51782) and 10 other sources
Mark Doughty, a 33-year-old fisherman from Gloucester, Massachusetts, went missing on August 5, 2001, after the fishing vessel *Starbound*, which he was aboard, was struck by a Russian oil tanker, the *Virgo*, 130 miles off Cape Ann. At the time of the collision, Mark was sleeping below deck, and the boat sank almost immediately, leaving little chance for the crew to escape. Mark and two other crew members tragically lost their lives, while the captain, Joseph Marcantonio, was the sole survivor.

The *Starbound* was a trawler bound for Rockland, Maine, with a full load of herring when the incident occurred. The tanker failed to yield to the smaller fishing vessel, leading to the fatal crash. A subsequent Coast Guard investigation found no clear reason why the tanker did not prevent the collision, and despite legal proceedings in Canada, the charges against the tanker’s crew were eventually dropped. Mark’s body was never recovered, adding to the grief of his family, who continue to mourn his loss.

Mark left behind a wife and two young daughters, and his family remains deeply affected by his sudden and tragic death. Despite the passage of time, his memory continues to be honored by loved ones who seek to ensure that the tragedy of the *Starbound* is not forgotten.

Last Seen: Aug 5, 2001

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.

79%Possible
John Doe — Somerville, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14725
John Doe — Somerville, Massachusetts
UP14725 • Found Dec 13, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 79%Est. 44–46 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"–5'11"
Weight 100%182 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP5980
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP5980 • Found Sep 28, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 33
Race 100%White
Location 54%207 mi away
TimingFound 8 weeks after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'9"–5'11"
Weight 100%226 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
UP15971 • Found Mar 14, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 69%Est. 40–60 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%26 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"–5'11"
Weight 67%145 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14893
John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
UP14893 • Found Mar 10, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 45–70 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%26 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"–5'11"
Weight 60%280 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Lunenburg, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14702
John Doe — Lunenburg, Massachusetts
UP14702 • Found Jul 7, 2011
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–45 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%53 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 84%6'1" vs 5'9"–5'11"
Weight 60%140 lb vs 200–220 lb
76%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP5717
John Doe — New York, New York
UP5717 • Found May 30, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 53%216 mi away
TimingFound 22 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"–5'11"
Weight 89%167 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5602
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5602 • Found Jul 26, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 53%215 mi away
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"–5'11"
Weight 100%220 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP5634
John Doe — New York, New York
UP5634 • Found Oct 9, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 54%212 mi away
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"–5'11"
Weight 100%202 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Woodbridge, New Jersey
UP1497 • Found Jan 17, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 52%234 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"–5'11"
Weight 96%175 lb vs 200–220 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP2756
John Doe — New York, New York
UP2756 • Found May 15, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 53%216 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'9"–5'11"
Weight 100%195 lb vs 200–220 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.