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 (MP38237) and 3 other sources
On December 26, 2016, 36-year-old Nicholas Papazissis was last seen in the borough of Queens, New York. On that day, he was reportedly seen jumping from the Throgs Neck Bridge. At the time of his disappearance, he was believed to be wearing shorts and no shirt. He may have also been wearing a gold and diamond ring. His personal belongings, including his wallet and cell phone, were left behind in his car which was found on the bridge.

Nicholas, a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, stood at approximately five feet nine inches tall and weighed around 186 pounds. He has a few distinguishing physical characteristics, including a discoloration on his abdomen and scars on both of his knees. Following the report of a person jumping from the bridge, the New York Police Department and other agencies conducted extensive searches of the surrounding waters. However, their efforts to locate Nicholas were unsuccessful.

The circumstances leading up to his disappearance remain part of an ongoing investigation. Despite the sighting of him jumping from the bridge, his body has never been recovered, and he is presumed to have drowned. The case is classified as a lost or injured missing person. The New York City Police Department's 109th Precinct is handling the investigation into his disappearance. His family has endured a prolonged period of uncertainty and grief, holding out hope for answers while facing the painful reality of his presumed death. The lack of closure has been a heavy burden for his loved ones, who continue to seek information about his final moments.

Last Seen: Dec 26, 2016

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.

82%Moderate
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP81157
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP81157 • Found May 26, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%168 lb vs 186 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
80%Moderate
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP16496
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP16496 • Found Feb 11, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 36
Race 100%White
Location 79%86 mi away
TimingFound 7 weeks after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'10" vs 5'9"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Bronx, New York - unidentified case UP16717
John Doe — Bronx, New York
UP16717 • Found May 11, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 36
Race 100%White
Location 100%9 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 52%5'5" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%171 lb vs 186 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
78%Possible
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP119685
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP119685 • Found Jan 29, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 75%5'7"–6'2" vs 5'9"
78%Possible
John Doe — Atlantic City, New Jersey - unidentified case UP102185
John Doe — Atlantic City, New Jersey
UP102185 • Found Jan 7, 2023
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 19–39 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 75%100 mi away
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%150–180 lb vs 186 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
78%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP70353 • Found May 7, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 78%91 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
Weight 98%166 lb vs 186 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
78%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP50249
John Doe — New York, New York
UP50249 • Found Apr 24, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 51%Est. 45–65 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%11 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%177 lb vs 186 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP151698
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP151698 • Found Oct 13, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 99%Est. 45–60 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%87 mi away
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'8" vs 5'9"
Weight 87%150–155 lb vs 186 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 30%Hazel vs Blue
77%Possible
John Doe — Staten Island, New York - unidentified case UP57351
John Doe — Staten Island, New York
UP57351 • Found May 3, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 36 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%22 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 36%5'0"–5'4" vs 5'9"
Weight 56%110–130 lb vs 186 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP55994 • Found Sep 22, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 36
Race 100%White
Location 79%86 mi away
TimingFound 9 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'8" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%160–180 lb vs 186 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue

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.