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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 (MP18598) and 2 other sources
Lawrence Rediess, age 43, was last seen on February 1, 1972, in Freeport, Texas. He was aboard the SS V.A. Fogg, a vessel en route from Freeport to Galveston, when the ship tragically exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico. Rediess, along with other crew members, was presumed missing following the disaster. Despite search efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard and additional investigations into the incident, no trace of Rediess was found.

The sinking of the SS V.A. Fogg, which occurred roughly 50 miles offshore, was a significant event that led to the loss of all crew members aboard, including Rediess. While some remains were recovered, Rediess was never located. His case remains open, classified as a missing person, with records kept by the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and other databases to ensure his case is not forgotten.

This disappearance highlights the dangers faced by maritime workers and the long-lasting impact of such tragedies on families and communities, who continue to search for closure.

Last Seen: Feb 1, 1972

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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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 — Rosenburg, Texas
UP4559 • Found Feb 14, 1976
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%50 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'7"–5'9"
Weight 100%200 lb vs 185–210 lb
80%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4545 • Found May 20, 1972
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 43
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'7"–5'9"
Weight 79%145 lb vs 185–210 lb
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP777 • Found Oct 2, 1977
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Sex ✓Male
Age 92%Est. 50–60 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%19 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'7"–5'9"
79%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4552 • Found Feb 7, 1974
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–55 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'7"–5'9"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 185–210 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4612 • Found Oct 24, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'7"–5'9"
Weight 45%118 lb vs 185–210 lb
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
78%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP4658 • Found Sep 26, 1978
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%57 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"–5'9"
77%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP16680 • Found Feb 24, 1972
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 60%Est. 18–100 vs 43
Race 100%White
Location 91%42 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 weeks after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'7"–5'9"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 185–210 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP3215 • Found Dec 24, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%42 mi away, same state
TimingFound 33 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"–5'9"
Weight 100%205 lb vs 185–210 lb
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
77%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP735 • Found Mar 10, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'7"–5'9"
Weight 100%182 lb vs 185–210 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP924 • Found Jan 15, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'7"–5'9"

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.