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Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP8788) and 7 other sources
Phillip Wesley Sheridan was 30 years old when he was last seen in Millsboro, Delaware, on August 17, 1973. Online records list him as a White/Caucasian male, 6 feet tall and about 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. His NamUs case is MP8788, and public case summaries identify the investigating agency as Delaware State Police Troop 4 in Sussex County.

Sheridan’s disappearance appears to have begun as a boating emergency. According to the public case information, he went ocean fishing in a 16-foot outboard boat and did not return. His wife contacted the U.S. Coast Guard at about 7:30 a.m. the following morning, August 18, 1973. The Coast Guard later found the boat floating approximately 1.5 miles off Bethany Beach, Delaware. Sheridan was not on board.

The condition of the boat suggested that something may have gone wrong mechanically while he was at sea. Public summaries state that the engine cover had been removed from the engine, which was interpreted as a possible sign of mechanical failure. Sheridan’s wallet and glasses were reportedly still inside the boat when it was found, details that add to the concern that he may have encountered trouble suddenly and had little opportunity to get safely back to shore.

At the time he disappeared, Sheridan was reportedly wearing shorts with orange and blue stripes, a white T-shirt with “Rehoboth” on it, and blue tennis shoes. Records also note identifying scars: a four-inch scar on the right side of his face and a one-inch scar over his left eyebrow. These details remain important because, in long-term missing-person investigations, even small physical identifiers can help investigators compare records and evaluate possible matches.

The case was not reported to Delaware State Police until October 1, 1973, according to the provided public case data, and the case remains listed publicly through NamUs and other missing-person case indexes. The attached case data does not list a resolution status of Alive or Deceased, so no recovery or closure status is stated here. Sheridan’s disappearance remains a deeply painful and unanswered loss for those who knew him, and the available public information points to a man who went out for a day of fishing and never came home.

Last Seen: Aug 17, 1973

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
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland - unidentified case UP2328
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
UP2328 • Found Mar 1, 1978
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%87 mi away
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 84%6'2" vs 6'0"
Weight 91%162 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP58073 • Found May 30, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 77%95 mi away
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 6'0"
Weight 83%145–155 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Virginia
UP85493 • Found Sep 30, 1973
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 30
Race 100%White
Location 74%106 mi away
TimingFound 6 weeks after last seen
Height 100%5'8"–5'11" vs 6'0"
78%Possible
John Doe — Lorton, Virginia
UP85468 • Found Aug 14, 1973
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 30
Race 100%White
Location 74%105 mi away
TimingFound same day as last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%175–185 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 15%Red vs Black
77%Possible
John Doe — Atlantic City, New Jersey - unidentified case UP1610
John Doe — Atlantic City, New Jersey
UP1610 • Found Aug 28, 2006
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 41–56 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 83%71 mi away
TimingFound 33 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
Weight 94%165 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland - unidentified case UP946
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
UP946 • Found Jan 20, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 80%84 mi away
TimingFound 28 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
Weight 98%169 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Ocean City, Maryland
UP2743 • Found Dec 12, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away
TimingFound 26 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
Weight 80%152 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Black
77%Possible
John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
UP2714 • Found May 25, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–35 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%86 mi away
TimingFound 25 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%199 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — West Deptford, New Jersey - unidentified case UP1626
John Doe — West Deptford, New Jersey
UP1626 • Found Apr 26, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 29–39 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 79%86 mi away
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
Weight 100%195 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Atlantic City, New Jersey - unidentified case UP2912
John Doe — Atlantic City, New Jersey
UP2912 • Found Jun 24, 1982
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 30 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 83%71 mi away
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
Weight 88%220 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 0%Blue 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.