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 (MP5248) and 4 other sources
Austin Jay Childs, a 17-year-old from Houston, Texas, was last seen on April 8, 2005, when he embarked on a fishing trip from Freeport, Texas, with two other men, John Zimmerman and David Keller. The group headed out into the Gulf of Mexico, about 26 miles offshore, in Zimmerman’s 28-foot pleasure boat. They were expected to return the following day but never did. On April 10, 2005, the U.S. Coast Guard located their boat capsized in the Gulf.

The boat had sustained damage, believed to be from hitting an object, possibly a log, causing it to overturn. Items like life jackets and seat cushions were found floating nearby, but there was no sign of the men or their yellow Labrador retriever that had accompanied them on the trip. Despite extensive search efforts, neither Austin nor his companions were ever found, and they are presumed lost at sea.

Austin Childs was described as an avid outdoorsman and was last seen wearing a brown leather jacket, blue jeans, flip-flop sandals, and a white shell choker necklace. His family and the authorities have continued to hold out hope for any new leads in this tragic case.

Last Seen: Apr 8, 2005

Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

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.

76%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP3080
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP3080 • Found Jan 18, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 17 when missing
Race 60%Hispanic
Location 88%55 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%166 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Texas
UP9266 • Found Aug 9, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 92%Est. 20 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 64%153 mi away, same state
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%153 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP162311
John Doe — Houston, Texas
UP162311 • Found Aug 26, 2026
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 17 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 86%61 mi away, same state
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 68%5'6" vs 5'9"
Weight 66%125 lb vs 170 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 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.