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John Pavlat Missing Person Case

Last seen in San Francisco, California on Dec 24, 2002

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Victim Details

Dec 30, 2017

Jan 12, 2024

John

Pavlat

57

34

72 inches

145 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Dec 24, 2002

San Francisco

California

San Francisco County

68

San Francisco Police Department

San Francisco

California

,

03-0109945

San Francisco Police Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 12, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP41547) and 4 other sources
John Michael Pavlat, a 34-year-old man from San Francisco, was last seen on December 24, 2002. On that day, he was observed exiting his vehicle on the Golden Gate Bridge and tragically jumping over the railing. Pavlat had been struggling with depression, largely due to chronic pain from a bicycle accident he sustained in 1995, which left him with lasting injuries to his neck and shoulders. Before his disappearance, he sent an email to some of his friends, which was later identified as a suicide note.

Despite extensive search efforts, his body was never recovered from the waters beneath the bridge, and he remains classified as a missing person. Pavlat was a cycling enthusiast and well-regarded within the biking community. His friends and family continue to mourn his loss, though his death is presumed given the circumstances of his disappearance. The case remains open with the San Francisco Police Department.
Last Seen: Dec 24, 2002

Links to Additional Sources (4)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • John Pavlat - California Department of Justice
  • John Michael Pavlat - The Charley Project
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP41547 | NamUs
  • John Michael Pavlat (1968-2002) - Find a Grave Memorial

    • 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 — Sausalito, California
    UP7082 • Found Aug 21, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%7 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
    Weight 99%160 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — California - unidentified case UP2363
    John Doe — California
    UP2363 • Found Mar 9, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 34
    Race 100%White
    Location 82%75 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 2 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Napa, California
    UP69733 • Found Dec 14, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%37 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0"–6'3" vs 6'0"
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Brisbane, California - unidentified case UP12987
    John Doe — Brisbane, California
    UP12987 • Found Sep 17, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%6 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
    Weight 79%175 lb vs 145 lb
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Sausalito, California
    UP12220 • Found May 15, 2013
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 96%Est. 45–60 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%7 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
    Weight 72%180 lb vs 145 lb
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Milpitas, California
    UP72156 • Found Jun 14, 2018
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 97%Est. 50–60 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%37 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 6'0"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — San Jose, California - unidentified case UP57876
    John Doe — San Jose, California
    UP57876 • Found Oct 15, 2017
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%42 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 0%260 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%Possible
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP5965 • Found Dec 27, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%2 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%135 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP146037
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP146037 • Found Oct 10, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 86%Est. 48–62 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%5 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'5"–5'9" vs 6'0"
    Weight 95%127 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Stockton, California
    UP87371 • Found Sep 7, 2021
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 34 when missing
    Race 60%Hispanic
    Location 85%63 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 19 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9"–6'0" vs 6'0"
    Weight 98%161–170 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 70%Gray 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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    John Michael Pavlat, 34, of San Francisco, was last seen on December 24, 2002, when he was observed... ...Read More
    12/14/2024

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