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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 (MP39130) and 1 other source
In the early summer of 2017, a heart-wrenching story began to unfold in Buffalo, New York, with the disappearance of 59-year-old John William Shankland. On June 18th, he was last seen leaving his home in the city. At the time he went missing, John was described as a white male with white hair and blue eyes, standing between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing approximately 140 to 150 pounds. When he was last seen, it is believed he was wearing a yellow t-shirt with 'MS Volunteer 2010' on the back and blue jeans. The circumstances surrounding his departure from his residence remain largely unknown to the public.

The investigation into John's disappearance took a significant turn when his vehicle was discovered abandoned in Niagara Falls, New York. The proximity of Niagara Falls to Buffalo, a drive that can take less than an hour, established a geographical link but offered few answers as to what transpired. Critical questions remain unanswered: Did John drive the car to Niagara Falls himself, and what was the reason for the trip?. Authorities have not publicly released information regarding the exact location or condition of the vehicle when it was found, leaving a void in the timeline of events following his departure from Buffalo. This lack of detail has made it difficult for both law enforcement and his loved ones to piece together his last known movements.

The years since John Shankland's disappearance have not brought any significant breakthroughs or public leads in the case. The Buffalo Police Department and the New York State Park Police in Niagara continue to be the investigating agencies. The absence of new information has left his family and community in a state of prolonged uncertainty. The case is a painful reminder of a journey that started in Buffalo but has an unknown destination. The discovery of his car in Niagara Falls serves as the last known piece of physical evidence connected to him, but it fails to illuminate his subsequent path. The core facts of the case remain stark and unresolved: John Shankland left his home on a June day in 2017, his car was later found, and he has not been seen or heard from since.

Last Seen: Jun 18, 2017

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — Buffalo, New York
UP53468 • Found Nov 4, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 40–70 vs 59
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"–5'10"
Weight 100%164 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
77%Possible
John Doe — Blasdell, New York
UP53467 • Found Jun 20, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 30–70 vs 59 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"–5'10"
Weight 79%180 lb vs 140–150 lb
Hair 40%Brown vs Gray

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.