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John Joyce Missing Person Case

Last seen in Princeton, Massachusetts on Sep 13, 1982

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Victim Details

Mar 21, 2013

Oct 12, 2023

John

Joyce

77

33

70 inches

185 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Sep 13, 1982

Princeton

Massachusetts

Worcester County

01541

13301

Maine State Police - Troop E

Bangor

Maine

Penobscot County

04401

198 Maine Road, Maine

2079733700

State

Law Enforcement

LC-82-04999

Maine State Police - Troop E

Brown

Blue

Blue

No

Oct 8, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP19728) and 7 other sources
John Joyce, age 33, disappeared on September 13, 1982, after leaving Worcester, Massachusetts, with his friend William Garlick. The two men were traveling to Alton, Maine, to collect a $22,000 debt. They were driving a black 1980 Corvette, which was later found abandoned on September 14, 1982, in the parking lot of the Bangor Mall in Bangor, Maine. The car's interior was damaged, and the ignition was torn apart. William Garlick’s wallet was found inside the vehicle, but both men have been missing since.

The circumstances surrounding their disappearance remain unclear. Investigators have explored various possibilities, including foul play or the men being involved in a financial dispute. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement, including the Maine State Police, no leads have emerged that explain what happened to John Joyce and William Garlick. Their disappearance continues to be an open case, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.
Last Seen: Sep 13, 1982

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Worcester's unsolved chronicles: 2 men vanish in 1982
  • SEE THE LIST: 37 People Missing from Worcester County
  • Deaths of John and Joyce Sheridan - Wikipedia
  • 5072DMME - John V. J. Joyce - Doe Network
  • Police seek new leads in disappearances of two men in Bangor in ...
  • EPISODE 8: Dead End | Dead End: A New Jersey Political Murder ...
  • MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Joyce and John Sheridan - Crime Junkie

    • 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.

    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14202
    John Doe — Methuen, Massachusetts
    UP14202 • Found Oct 28, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%39 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11"–6'5" vs 5'10"
    Weight 98%165 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP16439
    John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts
    UP16439 • Found Jul 25, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%39 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 22 months after last seen
    Height 68%6'1" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%170 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Everett, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15890
    John Doe — Everett, Massachusetts
    UP15890 • Found May 2, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–60 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%42 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 34 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 90%157 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Somerville, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14725
    John Doe — Somerville, Massachusetts
    UP14725 • Found Dec 13, 2009
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 44–46 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%40 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 27 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%182 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    John Doe — New Britain, Connecticut
    UP14397 • Found Aug 21, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 33
    Race 100%White
    Location 86%61 mi away
    TimingFound 11 months after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Lowell, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15888
    John Doe — Lowell, Massachusetts
    UP15888 • Found Mar 12, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 55–60 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%31 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 33 years after last seen
    Height 84%6'0" vs 5'10"
    Weight 89%156 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
    77%Possible
    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 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 62%163 mi away
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Weight 98%165 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    77%Possible
    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 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 62%164 mi away
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%197 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP9121
    John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
    UP9121 • Found Dec 26, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 62%165 mi away
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 84%6'0" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%170 lb vs 185 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Philipstown, New York - unidentified case UP8299
    John Doe — Philipstown, New York
    UP8299 • Found Apr 2, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 27–35 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 70%123 mi away
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
    Hair 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 Joyce, 33, vanished on September 13, 1982, after leaving Worcester, Massachusetts, with his... ...Read More
    02/11/2024

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