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 (MP37903) and 3 other sources
James Alan Cooper, aged 31, was last seen on March 1, 1997, in Hayward, California. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as 5'10" to 5'11" tall, weighing between 140 and 150 pounds, with sandy-colored, long hair and brown eyes. James had distinctive features, including a scar on his abdomen and a tattoo of a scorpion on his left upper arm. He also had a freckle or mole on his right upper cheek beneath his eye.

There were few clues about his disappearance, and it is believed that he may have been living a transient lifestyle in the Hayward or San Francisco area at the time. A potential sighting in San Francisco was reported but never confirmed. His family has not heard from him since March 1997, and despite investigations, his whereabouts remain unknown. His case is listed in the NamUs database, but few details are available regarding the circumstances of his disappearance. Investigators continue to seek information that could help resolve the case.

If you have any information about James' disappearance, authorities encourage you to contact local law enforcement.

Last Seen: Mar 1, 1997

Links to Additional Sources (3)

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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 — California - unidentified case UP17689
John Doe — California
UP17689 • Found May 10, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 88%Est. 20–30 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%46 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 months after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 92%170 lb vs 140–150 lb
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP7082 • Found Aug 21, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 140–150 lb
Eyes 60%Hazel vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP146037
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP146037 • Found Oct 10, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'9" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%127 lb vs 140–150 lb
79%Possible
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 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 86%175 lb vs 140–150 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — Sausalito, California
UP12220 • Found May 15, 2013
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 79%180 lb vs 140–150 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — San Francisco, California
UP5965 • Found Dec 27, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 140–150 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Napa, California
UP69733 • Found Dec 14, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%44 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0"–6'3" vs 5'10"–5'11"
78%Possible
John Doe — Stockton, California - unidentified case UP50599
John Doe — Stockton, California
UP50599 • Found Jul 12, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 88%Est. 20–30 vs 31
Race 100%White
Location 90%48 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 68%5'7" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 140–150 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Tiburon, California
UP7084 • Found Aug 20, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–40 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%24 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 52%5'6" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%130 lb vs 140–150 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Milpitas, California - unidentified case UP59937
John Doe — Milpitas, California
UP59937 • Found Sep 29, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 86%Est. 55–70 vs 31 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%20 mi away, same state
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 86%115 lb vs 140–150 lb
Eyes 60%Hazel 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.