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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 (MP7388) and 3 other sources
In the autumn of 1997, the life of the Holt family in Chicago, Illinois, was irrevocably changed. Nathaniel LaTrench Holt Sr., a 33-year-old machine operator for the Wrigley Gum Company, disappeared. On October 21, 1997, family members saw him for the last time as he left his residence in the 6700 block of South Evans Avenue. He was a familiar face in the neighborhood and was also known to spend time in the 500 block of 79th Street. When he didn't return home and no one could get in touch with him, his wife officially reported him missing. The days that followed were filled with anxiety and a desperate search for answers.

The initial investigation brought a significant but grim discovery. Just three days after he was last seen, on October 24, 1997, Nathaniel's vehicle was located. The car was found unoccupied in the 8000 block of South LaSalle Street. This discovery, far from bringing relief, only deepened the mystery surrounding his sudden disappearance. There was no sign of Nathaniel at the scene, and no immediate evidence to suggest what might have happened to him. The lack of any communication from him was entirely out of character, and as time passed with no word, the hope of his safe return began to fade for his loved ones.

At the time of his disappearance, Nathaniel Holt Sr. was described as a Black male, standing at five feet four inches tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He had a few distinguishing marks, including a pierced right ear, a scar on his torso, and grease burns on his arms. When he was last seen, he was wearing a blue and white checkered flannel shirt, a white t-shirt, blue jeans, and white athletic shoes. He also wore a diamond earring. Despite the passage of many years, his case remains an active and unresolved missing person investigation. The Chicago Police Department continues to hold the case file, a reminder of a life interrupted and a family left without closure. The circumstances of his disappearance remain a painful enigma, a story without an ending for those who still await answers.

Last Seen: Oct 21, 1997

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.

88%Strong
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP123551
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP123551 • Found Feb 19, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 33
Race 100%Black
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"
Weight 100%162 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
85%Strong
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP11185 • Found Aug 5, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'4"
Weight 100%151 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
83%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP122389 • Found Oct 11, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 33
Race 100%Black
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 12 months after last seen
Height 52%5'8" vs 5'4"
Weight 99%143 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP50887
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP50887 • Found Jun 1, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'4"
Weight 100%167 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
81%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP10815 • Found Feb 25, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"
Weight 75%124 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
80%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP139136 • Found Jul 27, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%7 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 52%5'8" vs 5'4"
Weight 100%135–150 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP17748 • Found Mar 19, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 75%Est. 58–72 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%10 mi away, same county
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP129206 • Found Nov 17, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 68%5'7"–6'1" vs 5'4"
79%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP129211 • Found Oct 17, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 72%Est. 40–60 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"
Weight 100%169 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
78%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP16460
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP16460 • Found Jan 1, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–40 vs 33 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 68%5'7" vs 5'4"
Weight 0%240 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
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.

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