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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 (MP41373) and 1 other source
James Hugghins, a 57-year-old man, went missing on February 1, 1972, while serving as the 3rd Assistant Engineer aboard the SS **V.A. Fogg**, a ship that tragically suffered multiple explosions and subsequently sank en route from Freeport, Texas, to Galveston. The disaster claimed the lives of Hugghins and other crew members. Despite recovery efforts, Hugghins’ body was never found, and he remains listed as a missing person. His disappearance is officially registered with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).

The sinking of the **V.A. Fogg** has been well-documented as a maritime tragedy, leading to a prolonged search for the crew, but due to the scale of the explosion, many were never recovered. Hugghins, who had been working on this oil tanker, was among those who disappeared without a trace. His case highlights the dangers of maritime work, particularly in the oil and gas sector during that period.

Decades later, his case is still listed as unresolved, with no further developments regarding his remains or the remains of several other crew members.

Last Seen: Feb 1, 1972

Links to Additional Sources (1)

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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.

81%Moderate
John Doe — Texas
UP777 • Found Oct 2, 1977
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%19 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'0"–6'3"
81%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP4560
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4560 • Found Mar 9, 1976
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–65 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'0"–6'3"
Weight 100%190 lb vs 100–300 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4528 • Found Apr 6, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 64–69 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'0"–6'3"
Weight 100%125 lb vs 100–300 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4612 • Found Oct 24, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'0"–6'3"
Weight 100%118 lb vs 100–300 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — Texas - unidentified case UP4634
John Doe — Texas
UP4634 • Found Jun 22, 1980
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%57 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'0"–6'3"
Weight 100%101 lb vs 100–300 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4552 • Found Feb 7, 1974
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 84%Est. 35–55 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'0"–6'3"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 100–300 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4659 • Found Jul 12, 1978
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–70 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'0"–6'3"
78%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4561 • Found May 31, 1976
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 5'0"–6'3"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 100–300 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP16680 • Found Feb 24, 1972
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 18–100 vs 57
Race 100%White
Location 91%42 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 weeks after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'0"–6'3"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 100–300 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP2089
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP2089 • Found Mar 18, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 57 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 32 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0" vs 5'0"–6'3"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 100–300 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.

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