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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 (MP9556) and 6 other sources
In the early morning hours of August 27, 1993, 21-year-old Earl 'Eric' Dunckel was last seen at his home in Lowville, New York. Known to his friends and family as Eric, he was preparing for a solo camping trip into the vast Adirondack wilderness, an adventure for which he had already packed his vehicle with the necessary gear. At the time of his disappearance, Eric was a young man described as being 5'11' and weighing 170 pounds, with blue eyes and blond hair. He wore eyeglasses and had distinctive features, including dimples on both cheeks and a small scar on his upper lip. He was believed to be wearing a canvas jacket, a shirt, size 33x34 pants, and size 9 1/2 black boots.

The day after he was last seen, a troubling discovery was made. On August 28, 1993, Earl Dunckel's vehicle was found abandoned. It was located at the end of Steam Mill Road in Brantingham, New York, an area that serves as an entrance to the Adirondack Forest Preserve in the town of Greig. Of Eric and his camping equipment, there was no sign. An extensive search of the dense woods and rugged terrain surrounding the location of his car yielded no clues as to his whereabouts. Since that day, he has had no contact with his family or friends, and his case has remained a painful mystery for all who know him.

The investigation into Eric's disappearance has continued for decades, yet it has yielded no answers. The New York State Police have kept the case open, hoping for any information that might shed light on what happened to the young man who seemingly vanished. Described by those who knew him as a kind and friendly person who also cherished solitude, Eric was one of seven siblings. His mother held out hope for years, but she sadly passed away in 2018 without ever learning the fate of her son. The case of Earl 'Eric' Dunckel is a somber tale of a young man who set out for an adventure in the wilderness and was never heard from again, leaving his loved ones with unanswered questions and an enduring sense of loss.

Last Seen: Aug 27, 1993

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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.

75%Possible
John Doe — New York
UP497 • Found Aug 3, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 21 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 62%166 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 93%147 lb vs 170 lb
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.