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 (MP5695) and 13 other sources
Karen Wilson, a 22-year-old college student from Colonie, New York, was last seen on March 27, 1985. Wilson, who was studying at the University at Albany, disappeared under mysterious circumstances after leaving a local tanning salon that evening. She was reportedly walking along Central Avenue in Colonie, but she never returned to her apartment or made contact with her family and friends. Concerned for her safety, her loved ones reported her missing when she failed to show up for planned activities.

The investigation into Wilson’s disappearance began swiftly, with local law enforcement searching the areas near where she was last seen. Investigators interviewed friends, family, and acquaintances, as well as employees at the tanning salon, in hopes of piecing together her last known movements. Despite extensive searches and multiple public appeals for information, no solid leads emerged. Wilson’s case was particularly alarming because she was a responsible young woman, and there were no indications that she had planned to leave voluntarily.

As the weeks turned into months, the case grew colder. Wilson’s family, devastated by her sudden disappearance, continued to work with law enforcement and made numerous public appeals, hoping that someone would come forward with information. The lack of physical evidence or eyewitness accounts made the investigation difficult, and despite continued efforts, her disappearance remains unsolved. Decades later, Karen Wilson's case is still open, with authorities holding out hope that new information will one day provide answers. Her family and the Colonie community continue to search for closure in this enduring mystery.

Last Seen: Mar 27, 1985

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.

79%Possible
Jane Doe — Staten Island, New York - unidentified case UP6955
Jane Doe — Staten Island, New York
UP6955 • Found Sep 6, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 65%150 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'4" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%110 lb vs 114 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP6805
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP6805 • Found May 10, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 16–25 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 67%141 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%115 lb vs 114 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP6124
Jane Doe — New York, New York
UP6124 • Found May 8, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 67%139 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%125 lb vs 114 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Medford, New York
UP13134 • Found Dec 7, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 67%138 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 84%5'1" vs 5'3"
Weight 83%135 lb vs 114 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP7801
Jane Doe — New York, New York
UP7801 • Found May 5, 1994
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 68%134 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Weight 87%95 lb vs 114 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Hackensack, New Jersey
UP1617 • Found Jul 19, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 93%Est. 30–40 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 70%127 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'2" vs 5'3"
Weight 80%137 lb vs 114 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — New Britain, Connecticut - unidentified case UP8821
Jane Doe — New Britain, Connecticut
UP8821 • Found Oct 11, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 77%91 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 84%5'5" vs 5'3"
Weight 92%130 lb vs 114 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP14585
Jane Doe — New York, New York
UP14585 • Found Sep 30, 2014
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 68%135 mi away, same state
TimingFound 30 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%117 lb vs 114 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York - unidentified case UP2771
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, New York
UP2771 • Found Apr 7, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 67%141 mi away, same state
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 84%5'1" vs 5'3"
Weight 88%96 lb vs 114 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
Jane Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP6326
Jane Doe — New York, New York
UP6326 • Found Nov 9, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 23–33 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 68%134 mi away, same state
TimingFound 14 years after last seen
Height 68%5'0" vs 5'3"
Weight 100%105 lb vs 114 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.