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 (MP8228) and 5 other sources
Paul Sekel, age 22, was last seen on April 20, 1982, in Johnstown, New York. He had been with a friend the evening before his disappearance, but by the following morning, his car was found abandoned on a local road. Despite extensive efforts to locate him, Sekel has not been seen or heard from since.

At the time of his disappearance, Paul was described as being 6'2" tall, weighing 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He had notable scars, including a surgical scar on his chest and a T-shaped scar along his hairline. His personal belongings, including his distinct belt with a large buckle featuring a horse and stones around the edges, have not led to any breakthroughs in his case.

Though law enforcement has continued to keep his case open, no substantial leads have emerged in the decades since his disappearance. Investigators continue to seek any information that might bring resolution to this long-standing case.

Last Seen: Apr 20, 1982

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — New Jersey
UP8722 • Found Apr 21, 2011
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 31–51 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 66%145 mi away
TimingFound 29 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'2"
Weight 70%225 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Scar: surgical, chest
78%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP7457
John Doe — New York, New York
UP7457 • Found Apr 29, 1991
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 64%156 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%6'3" vs 6'2"
Weight 100%190 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Kingston, New York - unidentified case UP6018
John Doe — Kingston, New York
UP6018 • Found Aug 15, 1988
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 82%77 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'2"
Weight 100%185 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Oswego, New York
UP6059 • Found May 11, 1983
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 73%112 mi away, same state
TimingFound 13 months after last seen
Height 84%6'0" vs 6'2"
Weight 76%220 lb vs 180 lb
76%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP53079 • Found Sep 26, 1993
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 54%215 mi away
TimingFound 11 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10"–6'0" vs 6'2"
Weight 100%185–195 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Scar: surgical
76%Possible
John Doe — Weehawken, New Jersey - unidentified case UP1674
John Doe — Weehawken, New Jersey
UP1674 • Found Nov 6, 2007
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 64%156 mi away
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 52%5'10" vs 6'2"
Weight 100%195 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Scar: surgical
76%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP7296
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP7296 • Found Sep 30, 1994
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 53%215 mi away
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 84%6'0" vs 6'2"
Weight 100%169 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Blue vs Brown
Physical features: Scar: surgical
76%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP9744
John Doe — New York, New York
UP9744 • Found Jun 24, 1989
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 22 when missing
Race 60%Hispanic
Location 64%155 mi away, same state
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%6'2" vs 6'2"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Physical features: Scar: surgical
76%Possible
John Doe — New York, New York - unidentified case UP9217
John Doe — New York, New York
UP9217 • Found Jun 6, 1988
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Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 63%160 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'2"
Weight 98%160 lb vs 180 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP16439
John Doe — Medford, Massachusetts
UP16439 • Found Jul 25, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 61%170 mi away
TimingFound 2 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'2"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 180 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.