Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Donald Phillips missing person case profile photo

Donald Phillips Missing Person Case

Last seen in Willis, Texas on Apr 17, 2017

Create Press Release
Create Social Post
Create Flyer

Victim Details

May 8, 2017

Jun 28, 2024

Donald

Phillips

62

53

70 inches

71 inches

230 lbs

250 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Apr 17, 2017

Willis

Texas

Montgomery County

34543

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office

Conroe

Texas

Montgomery County

77301

Charlie Sullivent

Detective Sergeant

#1 Criminal Justice Drive, Texas

9367605800

County

Law Enforcement

http://www.mctxsheriff.org/

17A130009

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office

Gray or Partially Gray

Blue

Blue

No

Oct 12, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP38087) and 5 other sources
Donald James Phillips, age 53, was last seen on April 17 or 18, 2017, in Willis, Texas, where he worked for ADF, a trucking company. His disappearance has raised numerous concerns, particularly after his car, a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix, was found abandoned deep in the Sam Houston National Forest about five weeks later. The vehicle contained some of his personal belongings, including his wallet and several days' worth of clothing, but Donald was nowhere to be found.

His family believes that foul play is involved, especially considering the circumstances surrounding the discovery of his vehicle and the lack of communication from Donald since his disappearance. They have launched extensive search efforts, including volunteer searches in the forest, but have found no significant clues to his whereabouts.

Frustrated with the lack of progress from law enforcement, Donald's family has taken matters into their own hands, hiring a private investigator to help uncover the truth. His family remains determined to find him and bring those responsible for his disappearance to justice. The case remains unsolved, and the family continues to seek public support to keep the investigation alive.
Last Seen: Apr 17, 2017

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP38087
  • Donald James Phillips, 54,... - Missing Persons of America - Facebook
  • Texas Lostnmissing - NamUs MP # 38087 #Missing Donald J ...
  • Unsolved Cases | Humboldt County, CA - Official Website
  • Eight years of Dateline's Missing in America: 169 still missing

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (6)

    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 — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP136464
    John Doe — Houston, Texas
    UP136464 • Found Jan 6, 2025
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 92%Est. 38–52 vs 53 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%54 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–5'11"
    Weight 100%249 lb vs 230–250 lb
    Hair 40%Brown vs Gray
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Cypress, Texas
    UP79691 • Found Feb 21, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 53 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%30 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 75%5'9"–6'4" vs 5'10"–5'11"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Houston, Texas
    UP86759 • Found Sep 8, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 97%Est. 58–72 vs 53 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%45 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"–5'11"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP17835
    John Doe — Houston, Texas
    UP17835 • Found Aug 22, 2017
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 53
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%49 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 4 months after last seen
    Height 68%5'7" vs 5'10"–5'11"
    Weight 100%220 lb vs 230–250 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Pasadena, Texas
    UP95762 • Found Aug 2, 2022
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 50–70 vs 53 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 88%54 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5"–5'11" vs 5'10"–5'11"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Houston, Texas
    UP51409 • Found Jul 11, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 53 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 89%50 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 15 months after last seen
    Height 68%6'2" vs 5'10"–5'11"
    Weight 26%132 lb vs 230–250 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.

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (1)

    Donald James Phillips, 53, was last seen April 17 or 18, 2017, in Willis, Texas, where he worked for... ...Read More
    07/11/2023

    Other Missing Cases from Willis, Texas

    Charles Mcmullen missing person case in Willis, Texas

    Charles Mcmullen

    Missing: May 27, 2022
    On May 27, 2022, a sense of concern began to unfold in Willis, Texas, for the friends and family of ...Read More
    Ashten Moya missing person case in WILLIS, Texas

    Ashten Moya

    Missing: Mar 13, 2026
    Ashten Moya, a 17-year-old male, was last seen on March 13, 2026, in Willis, Texas. The ...Read More
    Joshua Mosley missing person case in Willis, Texas

    Joshua Mosley

    Missing: Aug 30, 2019
    Joshua Lee Mosley, age 39, was last seen on August 30, 2019, in Willis, Texas. His family reported ...Read More
    Marcos Zavala missing person case in Willis, Texas

    Marcos Zavala

    Missing: Aug 30, 1998
    Marcos Arrellano Zavala, a 22-year-old man, was last seen on August 30, 1998, in Willis, Texas. He ...Read More