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 (MP12344) and 3 other sources
A deep sense of mystery and sorrow surrounds the case of Stephen J. Sullivan, a 28-year-old man from Farmingdale, New York, who vanished on September 23, 1991. On that day, the helicopter he was piloting went down in the waters off of Block Island, Rhode Island. The circumstances leading to the crash and what became of Sullivan remain unknown, leaving a painful void for his loved ones. The initial search and the subsequent discoveries of the aircraft's wreckage would only deepen the questions surrounding his disappearance.

In the months that followed the incident, pieces of the puzzle began to surface from the depths of the ocean, but they failed to provide any clear answers. A significant breakthrough occurred when a fishing boat inadvertently pulled up the tail section of the helicopter in its net. This discovery prompted a more focused search effort by the Nassau County Police Department, who were then able to locate the remainder of the severely damaged aircraft through a diving operation. The retrieval of the helicopter's main body, however, brought a devastating realization; the cockpit was empty. Despite the extensive search and the recovery of the aircraft, there was no trace of Stephen Sullivan.

The official investigation into Stephen Sullivan's disappearance has left many questions unanswered. Authorities were unable to determine the precise cause of the helicopter crash, and with no sign of the pilot, the events of that fateful day remain speculative. His case is classified as a missing person under uncertain circumstances, a designation that underscores the lack of conclusive evidence. The absence of any further information or leads has left his family and investigators in a prolonged state of uncertainty, grappling with a mystery that has endured for decades. The empty helicopter, recovered from the ocean floor, serves as a haunting reminder of a life that was abruptly and inexplicably lost.

Last Seen: Sep 23, 1991

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.

82%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP8460
John Doe — New York, New York
UP8460 • Found Aug 20, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 28
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 11 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 64%175 lb vs 240 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
81%Moderate
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP6104
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP6104 • Found Feb 10, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%18 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 93%207 lb vs 240 lb
Hair 50%Red vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
80%Moderate
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP5596
John Doe — New York, New York
UP5596 • Found Feb 22, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%29 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%219 lb vs 240 lb
Hair 50%Red vs Blond
80%Moderate
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP8048
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP8048 • Found Oct 12, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%18 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 88%202 lb vs 240 lb
Hair 10%Black vs Blond
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Queens, New York - unidentified case UP5980
John Doe — Queens, New York
UP5980 • Found Sep 28, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%18 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%226 lb vs 240 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP5996
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP5996 • Found Jan 22, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%27 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'11"
Weight 60%171 lb vs 240 lb
Hair 50%Red vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Huntington, New York - unidentified case UP2734
John Doe — Huntington, New York
UP2734 • Found Mar 9, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 29%145 lb vs 240 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP7873
John Doe — New York, New York
UP7873 • Found Mar 9, 1993
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 95%Est. 30–45 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%28 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'11"
Weight 6%125 lb vs 240 lb
79%Possible
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP8351
John Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP8351 • Found Oct 30, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%26 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 months after last seen
Height 68%6'2" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%235 lb vs 240 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 70%Gray vs Blue
78%Possible
John Doe — Jersey City, New Jersey - unidentified case UP6785
John Doe — Jersey City, New Jersey
UP6785 • Found Jul 29, 2008
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 28 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 94%31 mi away
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 68%6'2" vs 5'11"
Weight 94%209 lb vs 240 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue

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.