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Duane Talmon, Jr. missing person case profile photo

Duane Talmon, Jr. Missing Person Case

Last seen in Buffalo, New York on Oct 30, 1974

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Victim Details

Jan 6, 2010

Jun 22, 2022

Duane

Talmon, Jr.

68

16

68 inches

145 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Oct 30, 1974

Buffalo

New York

Erie County

26221

New York State Police - Clarence

Clarence

New York

Erie County

14031

Jason Fish

Senior Investigator

196 TPR KEVIN P DOBSON WAY, New York

7164066215

State

Law Enforcement

ACLA5307

Nov 1, 1974

New York State Police - Clarence

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 18, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP4566) and 5 other sources
Duane Robert Talmon Jr., a 16-year-old from Buffalo, New York, was last seen on October 30, 1974. He called his mother that day, informing her that he would not need a ride from school because he was meeting a friend at Akron Park. Duane arranged for his mother to pick him up later on Miles Road, but he never showed up and has not been heard from since.

In 1986, a man named Michael Thurman confessed to Duane's murder, claiming that the two had a dispute over a drug deal that escalated into a fatal shooting. Thurman admitted to burying Duane near North French Road in Amherst, New York. Despite thorough searches in the area, Duane's remains were never found. Thurman was later convicted of first-degree manslaughter in 2003, after witnesses came forward confirming his involvement in the crime. He was sentenced to five to fifteen years in prison under a plea deal.

Although Thurman was convicted, Duane's body has never been recovered, leaving his case partially unresolved. His family continues to seek closure after decades of unanswered questions.
Last Seen: Oct 30, 1974

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • 1002DMNY - Duane Robert Talmon, Jr. - Doe Network">1002DMNY - Duane Robert Talmon, Jr. - Doe Network
  • Duane Talmon Jr. | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Duane Robert Talmon Jr. - The Charley Project
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN 1974 HOMICIDE - Buffalo News

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (6)

    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.

    78%Possible
    John Doe — Youngstown, New York
    UP13041 • Found Apr 10, 1993
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%26 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 18 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'11" vs 5'8"
    Weight 95%163 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Cleveland, Ohio
    UP15014 • Found Oct 27, 1977
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 17–25 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 60%174 mi away
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%147 lb vs 145 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Lewiston, New York
    UP488 • Found Aug 15, 2001
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 27 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'11" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%134 lb vs 145 lb
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Barre, New York
    UP12909 • Found May 4, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%38 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 24 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Lewiston, New York
    UP14272 • Found Jun 4, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–50 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 25 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"
    Weight 99%130 lb vs 145 lb
    75%Possible
    John Doe — New York
    UP497 • Found Aug 3, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–30 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%30 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 31 years after last seen
    Height 52%6'0" vs 5'8"
    Weight 100%147 lb vs 145 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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Duane Robert Talmon Jr. was 16 and living in Buffalo when he was last seen on October 30, 1974. He... ...Read More
    03/05/2024

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