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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 (MP9602) and 11 other sources
In the winter of 1979, a 24-year-old man named James Dean Knox disappeared from the small village of Warsaw, New York. His grandmother last saw him on December 9, 1979, at her home in South Warsaw. Although his grandmother officially reported him missing on December 21, further investigation revealed that friends and local business owners had seen him in Warsaw on December 10 and 11. At the time he vanished, Knox was living on Wyoming Street and was on medical leave from his job at the Leroy Machine Co. in the nearby town of Leroy. He was described as being despondent over some health problems. When he disappeared, he was wearing a red plaid jacket, blue jeans, and black boots, along with plastic-rimmed eyeglasses.

James Knox was a familiar face in the close-knit community of Warsaw. He was known to frequently visit a local pizzeria in the village. The investigation into his disappearance involved searches of the surrounding areas and interviews with family, friends, and acquaintances. Despite these efforts, no significant leads or evidence emerged to explain what had happened to him. All of his personal belongings, including his clothes and money, were left behind at his residence, adding to the mystery of his sudden departure. The lack of any signs of foul play or a struggle left investigators with very few clues to follow.

Over the decades, the case of James Knox has grown cold, but it has not been forgotten. The New York State Police have continued to investigate his disappearance, periodically releasing information to the public in the hope of generating new leads. His family and the Warsaw community have been left with unanswered questions for more than four decades. The official investigation remains open, a lingering reminder of the young man who vanished without a trace. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance, including his reported despondency and the fact that he was last seen by various people in his hometown before he vanished, paint a perplexing picture of his last known days.

Last Seen: Dec 9, 1979

Possible Unidentified Matches (6)

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — Youngstown, New York
UP13041 • Found Apr 10, 1993
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%58 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%163 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — New York
UP497 • Found Aug 3, 2005
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%50 mi away, same state
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%147 lb vs 150 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Near Sodus Point, New York
UP17355 • Found Jul 12, 1980
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 24
Race 100%White
Location 84%68 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 months after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 65%190 lb vs 150 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Lewiston, New York
UP488 • Found Aug 15, 2001
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%53 mi away, same state
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 99%134 lb vs 150 lb
76%Possible
John Doe — Barre, New York
UP12909 • Found May 4, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same state
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 84%5'9" vs 5'11"
75%Possible
John Doe — Oswego, New York
UP6059 • Found May 11, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 24 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 76%96 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 9%220 lb vs 150 lb

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.