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 (MP8604) and 7 other sources
Shelley Sikes, a 19-year-old from Galveston, Texas, went missing on May 24, 1986, after leaving her job at Gaido’s Seafood Restaurant just before midnight. Shelley was driving home to Texas City, where she lived with her family for the summer, but she never made it. Early the next morning, her car was found abandoned and stuck in mud along an Interstate 45 access road near the Galveston Causeway. The car’s window was shattered, and blood was found inside the vehicle, raising immediate concerns about foul play.

Several months after her disappearance, two men, John Robert King and Gerald Peter Zwarst, were arrested and eventually convicted for kidnapping Shelley. King had confessed that he and Zwarst had abducted Shelley, claiming they buried her alive. However, despite their convictions, Shelley’s body has never been found. Over the years, investigators have conducted extensive searches based on leads, including confessions and a map drawn by Zwarst while under hypnosis. Still, no conclusive evidence has been recovered, leaving Shelley’s family without closure.

Though the men involved have served time in prison, and King has since passed away, Shelley’s case remains open, with investigators continuing to search for her remains. Despite the lack of physical recovery, the community and her family have kept her memory alive, hoping for answers in this tragic case.

Last Seen: May 24, 1986

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.

84%Moderate
Jane Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP926
Jane Doe — Houston, Texas
UP926 • Found Nov 26, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 17–30 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%47 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1" vs 4'11"–5'0"
Weight 97%111 lb vs 90–100 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Channelview, Texas
UP1390 • Found Oct 28, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 93%38 mi away, same state
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1" vs 4'11"–5'0"
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP963
Jane Doe — Houston, Texas
UP963 • Found Oct 18, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–25 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%47 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0" vs 4'11"–5'0"
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP2097
Jane Doe — Houston, Texas
UP2097 • Found Jan 29, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 15–25 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%47 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1" vs 4'11"–5'0"
Weight 0%151 lb vs 90–100 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Houston, Texas
UP3533 • Found Sep 29, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%47 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0" vs 4'11"–5'0"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Houston, Texas - unidentified case UP2191
Jane Doe — Houston, Texas
UP2191 • Found Dec 15, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 17–25 vs 19 when missing
Race 60%Hispanic
Location 91%42 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 84%4'9" vs 4'11"–5'0"
Weight 99%110 lb vs 90–100 lb
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — San Antonio, Texas - unidentified case UP3939
Jane Doe — San Antonio, Texas
UP3939 • Found Nov 1, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–26 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 53%218 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1" vs 4'11"–5'0"
Weight 80%119 lb vs 90–100 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Houston, Texas
UP991 • Found Apr 5, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 63%Est. 25–35 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 90%47 mi away, same state
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'0" vs 4'11"–5'0"
Weight 100%89 lb vs 90–100 lb
Hair 50%Red vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Missouri City, Texas
UP3439 • Found Jul 29, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 17–28 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%50 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 68%5'3" vs 4'11"–5'0"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Texas
UP962 • Found Jun 5, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 19 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%45 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'1" vs 4'11"–5'0"

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.