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 (MP33577) and 3 other sources
On a summer day in New York, July 27, 1993, a 48-year-old man named John Borrelli, Sr. was with his family in Manhattan. At some point, he informed them that he was heading back to Cabrini Medical Center. For reasons that remain unknown, he never made it to the hospital, nor did he ever return to his home. His family's report to the New York City Police Department on August 1, 1993, marked the beginning of a long and painful search for answers that has stretched across decades. That day in Manhattan was the last time anyone in his family would see him.

John Borrelli, Sr. was a man with distinct features. He was of both Hispanic and White/Caucasian descent, stood at five feet ten inches tall, and weighed around 125 pounds. He had blue eyes and brown hair, which was thinning with a bald spot at the crown. His body carried the map of a life lived, with a scar on his left cheek and linear scars along his spine. A significant physical characteristic was a prior break to his left leg, which necessitated his use of a cane to walk. On the day he vanished, he was dressed in blue jeans, a light beige jacket, and sneakers. He also had several personal items with him: a gold wedding band on his finger, a green rosary with a white cross, and a thick wallet held together by a rubber band.

The circumstances surrounding John Borrelli, Sr.'s disappearance remain shrouded in uncertainty. He said he was returning to a medical facility, but what happened on his journey there is a complete mystery. There have been no reported sightings or communications from him since that day. The New York City Police Department's Missing Persons Squad took on the case, but the trail went cold. Decades later, his case remains open, a quiet but persistent question mark. The story of his disappearance is a somber reminder of a day that started like any other, with family in the city, but ended with a loved one vanishing, leaving behind only memories and unanswered questions for those who cared for him.

Last Seen: Jul 27, 1993

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.

86%Strong
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP7817
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP7817 • Found Jul 28, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 50%165 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
85%Strong
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP7060
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP7060 • Found Dec 9, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%9 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 96%140 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 70%Gray vs Blue
84%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP7756
John Doe — New York, New York
UP7756 • Found Jan 17, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 48
Race 100%White
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 months after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 0%197 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
84%Moderate
John Doe — Jersey City, New Jersey
UP1782 • Found Aug 3, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 43–53 vs 48
Race 100%White
Location 100%6 mi away
TimingFound 7 days after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 62%160 lb vs 125 lb
83%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP6167
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP6167 • Found Apr 26, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–55 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%9 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 68%5'7" vs 5'10"
Weight 93%142 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
83%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP6834
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP6834 • Found Nov 28, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%9 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 96%140 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
82%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5761
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5761 • Found Jan 30, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 55–60 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 17%180 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
82%Moderate
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP7062
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP7062 • Found Dec 11, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 50%165 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
82%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP7289
John Doe — New York, New York
UP7289 • Found Nov 27, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 84%6'0" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP7256
John Doe — New York, New York
UP7256 • Found May 3, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 48 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 months after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 96%140 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 60%Black 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.