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 (MP10849) and 7 other sources
Mark Lindsey Bachelder, age 17, was last seen on September 22, 1974, surfing off Bryan Beach in Freeport, Texas. He was camping with a group of teenagers from Houston when he and his friend, David Hesterlee, went surfing around 6:00 a.m. that morning. The two boys, both using surfboards tethered to their ankles, did not return by 11:00 p.m., prompting the beach patrol to be notified.

Despite an extensive search that lasted for several days, neither Mark, David, nor their surfboards were ever located. The pair is presumed to have been lost at sea. Mark was last seen with a bright yellow surfboard that had distinct markings, including the word "Sunshine" written on the deck and the image of an Indian on a horse on the bottom. His disappearance remains classified as a lost/injured missing person case.

Mark is described as being 5'8", weighing 125 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He had previously suffered a back fracture. Despite decades of searching and multiple investigations, no further evidence has surfaced regarding the fate of Mark or David.

If anyone has information, they are encouraged to contact the Brazoria County Sheriff's Department.

Last Seen: Sep 22, 1974

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 — Fresno, Texas - unidentified case UP778
John Doe — Fresno, Texas
UP778 • Found Feb 13, 1978
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 17–25 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%41 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 88%145 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP2248 • Found Nov 22, 1980
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Montgomery, Texas
UP4572 • Found Aug 22, 1977
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–25 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 75%101 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 96%140 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Cleveland, Texas
UP4030 • Found May 27, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 26–36 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 76%97 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 88%145 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP7147
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP7147 • Found Mar 16, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 68%5'5" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%129 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP4472 • Found Apr 9, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%68 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
Weight 80%150 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP957 • Found May 30, 1977
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 96%Est. 20–30 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
78%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP3294 • Found Jul 19, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 28 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%134 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP3577 • Found Sep 23, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 15–30 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%19 mi away, same county
TimingFound 24 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
Weight 100%135 lb vs 125 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
78%Possible
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 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 88%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
Weight 80%150 lb vs 125 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.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.