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 (MP20826) and 5 other sources
John Thomas Degnan III, a 20-year-old from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, disappeared on November 2, 1980, under mysterious circumstances. On the day of his disappearance, Degnan left a note for his parents, stating that he was going away for a while but would return soon and that they shouldn't worry. The note was signed "Love John." His vehicle remained parked in the driveway of his residence, and there was no indication of where he might have gone.

At the time he went missing, Degnan was wearing a rust-colored t-shirt with a Fisherman’s Wharf logo, blue polyester slacks, and blue and silver sneakers. He had distinctive scars under his right nostril, on his shoulder, and acne scars on his face. Despite these details, few clues have surfaced regarding his whereabouts since that day. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear, and no evidence has suggested foul play.

The investigation into Degnan’s case has remained active for over 40 years, with occasional updates such as age-progressed images to aid in the search. However, there have been no significant leads to explain his sudden disappearance, and he has not been heard from since leaving the note.

Last Seen: Nov 2, 1980

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.

87%Strong
John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP1261
John Doe — Florida
UP1261 • Found Sep 25, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%142 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Hazel vs Hazel
85%Strong
John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP13806
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP13806 • Found Apr 10, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%146 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
85%Strong
John Doe — Fort Lauderdale, Florida - unidentified case UP1254
John Doe — Fort Lauderdale, Florida
UP1254 • Found May 26, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 97%162 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
84%Moderate
John Doe — Ft Lauderdale, Florida - unidentified case UP1240
John Doe — Ft Lauderdale, Florida
UP1240 • Found Mar 12, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 70%181 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
84%Moderate
John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP1251
John Doe — Florida
UP1251 • Found Jul 5, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 145 lb
Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
83%Moderate
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP16420 • Found Nov 20, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%145 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Broward, Florida - unidentified case UP1224
John Doe — Broward, Florida
UP1224 • Found Oct 12, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%143 lb vs 145 lb
83%Moderate
John Doe — West Palm Beach, Florida
UP1245 • Found Dec 2, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%41 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 92%165 lb vs 145 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP1274
John Doe — Florida
UP1274 • Found Jul 12, 1982
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 99%15 mi away, same county
TimingFound 20 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'7"
Weight 59%103 lb vs 145 lb
83%Moderate
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP140884 • Found Nov 11, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–32 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%25 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'7"
Weight 99%130 lb vs 145 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.