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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 (MP20803) and 2 other sources
In the summer of 1996, in the small community of Melbourne in Campbell County, Kentucky, 53-year-old Darrell Zane Fultz, known to some as 'Diz,' disappeared, leaving behind a quiet home and an enduring mystery. The last known contact with Fultz was on July 18 of that year. His disappearance was discovered when his home was found open. Inside, the television was still playing, and his vehicle remained at the residence, suggesting he had not planned to go far or for an extended period. These unsettling details painted a picture of a life interrupted, a sudden and unexplained departure from his daily routine.

The initial investigation into Darrell Fultz's whereabouts was handled by the Campbell County Police Department. However, the case yielded few clues to explain his sudden vanishing. There were no immediate signs of a struggle or foul play at his home. Fultz was a white male, standing at 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 165 pounds at the time he went missing. He had brown hair and brown eyes. A notable physical characteristic was that his fingers were bent as a result of arthritis. The lack of substantial leads or any communication from Fultz after his disappearance left his family, friends, and investigators with more questions than answers.

Decades have passed since Darrell Fultz was last seen, and his case has grown cold, yet it remains an open investigation. The passage of time has not brought any significant breakthroughs or new information to light that could resolve the uncertainty surrounding his fate. The initial details of his home being found open with his personal belongings, including his vehicle, still in place, continue to be the most poignant and perplexing aspects of the case. This overview represents the entirety of the known circumstances of his disappearance, a narrative pieced together from the few available public records, leaving a void for those who knew him and a lingering question for the community about what happened to Darrell Zane Fultz.

Last Seen: Jul 18, 1996

Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

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.

76%Possible
John Doe — Warsaw, Kentucky - unidentified case UP55760
John Doe — Warsaw, Kentucky
UP55760 • Found Feb 22, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 58–68 vs 53 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%33 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 13%240 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Jeffersonville, Indiana
UP114481 • Found Apr 27, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 53 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 78%90 mi away
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 87%138 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Erlanger, Kentucky - unidentified case UP76
John Doe — Erlanger, Kentucky
UP76 • Found Jan 25, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 53 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%13 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 52%6'2" vs 5'10"

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.