Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP7770) and 10 other sources
In the early summer of 1974, a young man from Oklahoma named Alan Wayne Soper embarked on an adventure he had been dreaming of. Having just graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in sociology, the 22-year-old was eager to see the country before settling down. He devised a plan to travel by assisting truck drivers with loading and unloading their cargo in exchange for rides. Alan, a 22-year-old white male with brown, shoulder-length hair and blue eyes, left his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, ready for his journey. On June 7, 1974, he made a phone call to his parents, telling them he was in Sacramento, California. That phone call would be the last time his family ever heard from him.

The weeks turned into months, and then years, with no word from Alan. His family, who knew him to be in regular contact, grew increasingly worried. A significant and troubling discovery was made three years later, on June 8, 1977, in the desert area of Needles, California, a city hundreds of miles from Sacramento. Two young boys exploring near Eagle Pass Wash found weathered clothing and a wallet that belonged to Alan. Despite an extensive search of the area by authorities, no other clues were found. The discovery of his personal belongings so far from his last known location, with no sign of Alan himself, deepened the mystery and led investigators to suspect that he had met with foul play.

Alan Soper was described as being five feet eleven inches tall and weighing 160 pounds at the time of his disappearance. He had several distinguishing characteristics, including a scar on his wrist from a childhood injury, a cleft chin, a dimple on his left cheek, and some freckles. His case remains an active investigation with the Tulsa Police Department, who are being assisted by California authorities. Over the decades, no further evidence has surfaced to explain what happened to Alan after he made that final phone call. The case is a sorrowful puzzle: a bright young man, fresh from college and with a thirst for adventure, vanished while living out his dream. His journey across the country ended mysteriously in the California desert, leaving behind only a few personal items and a family left to wonder what became of him.

Last Seen: Jun 7, 1974

Possible Unidentified Matches (4)

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.

76%Possible
John Doe — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
UP5177 • Found Aug 7, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%85 mi away, same state
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%154 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
76%Possible
John Doe — Tulsa, Oklahoma - unidentified case UP12603
John Doe — Tulsa, Oklahoma
UP12603 • Found Aug 5, 1982
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 22 when missing
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 8 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%170 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
75%Possible
John Doe — Wichita, Kansas
UP2430 • Found Aug 29, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–30 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 69%131 mi away
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
75%Possible
John Doe — Fort Smith, Arkansas
UP2848 • Found May 12, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 22 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 74%103 mi away
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 68%5'8" vs 5'11"
Weight 99%143 lb vs 160 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.