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 (MP15512) and 4 other sources
James Ray Skelton, aged 27, was last seen on March 6, 1986, in the 5000 block of Halle Street in Houston, Texas. At the time of his disappearance, Skelton was working for Canopy Erectors and also as a mechanic. He was wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and black sneakers when he was last seen. Skelton, who went by the nicknames "Bird" and "Buzzard," had multiple tattoos, including one on the inside of his left forearm.

Despite efforts to locate him, Skelton has never been heard from again, and very few details have emerged about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. His case remains unsolved, and law enforcement continues to seek information that could help solve it.

If anyone has any information, they are encouraged to contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office. His case is still listed in both the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and other missing persons databases.

Last Seen: Mar 6, 1986

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.

85%Strong
John Doe — Texas
UP4472 • Found Apr 9, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 27
Race 100%White
Location 92%41 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 weeks after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
84%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP4084 • Found Dec 7, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 160 lb
83%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP3842 • Found Jul 7, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
Weight 95%180 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP3746
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP3746 • Found Jan 21, 1995
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 23–35 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Cleveland, Texas
UP4030 • Found May 27, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 26–36 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%44 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%145 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
82%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP2180
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP2180 • Found Oct 2, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
Weight 91%137 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
82%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP2733 • Found Jul 13, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP609
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP609 • Found Jul 16, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 45–65 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
Weight 79%193 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Green vs Green
80%Moderate
John Doe — Pasadena, Texas
UP3557 • Found Apr 12, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%11 mi away, same county
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%165 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green
80%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP3646
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP3646 • Found Jul 6, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
Weight 99%143 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green

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.