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Frank Santmyer, Jr. Missing Person Case

Last seen in Baltimore, Maryland on Dec 2, 1977

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Victim Details

Apr 10, 2009

Aug 1, 2024

Frank

Santmyer, Jr.

72

24

69 inches

168 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Dec 2, 1977

Baltimore

Maryland

Baltimore County

21235

No

7255

Howard County Police Department

Ellicott City

Maryland

Howard County

21043

Nick DeCarlo

Detective

3410 Court House Drive, Maryland

4103133200

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Police2

77-34775

Dec 7, 1977

Howard County Police Department

6762

Blond/Strawberry

Blue

Blue

Oct 12, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP1835) and 7 other sources
Frank Ray Santmyer Jr., a 24-year-old from Ellicott City, Maryland, was last seen on December 2, 1977. At the time of his disappearance, Santmyer was facing drug-related charges after being arrested with two other men at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport for possession of 10 ounces of cocaine. Despite being involved in legal trouble, Santmyer disappeared under suspicious circumstances, and authorities believe he may have been killed during a robbery, possibly in a shootout.

Santmyer had a distinct appearance, including blond hair, blue eyes, and multiple scars from previous surgeries and injuries, including a scar on his right hand and behind his knee. He was known to wear a turquoise bracelet and ring, along with a silver Timex watch, at the time of his disappearance. Authorities declared him legally dead on October 28, 1980, although his remains were never recovered, and no one has been charged in connection with his presumed murder.

Despite the passage of time, his case remains open, and investigators continue to seek information that could help resolve this decades-old mystery.
Last Seen: Dec 2, 1977

Links to Additional Sources (7)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Frank Santmyer | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Frank Ray Santmyer Jr. - The Charley Project
  • 1728DMMD - Frank Ray Santmyer
  • Unsolved Cold Cases - Frank Ray Santmyer Jr ... - Facebook
  • Article clipped from The Baltimore Sun - Newspapers.com™
  • Frank Ray Santmyer, Jr., 24, Ellicott City, 2 Dec. 1977 | Websleuths

    • 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.

    82%Moderate
    John Doe — Ashton, Maryland
    UP2080 • Found Oct 15, 1983
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–29 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%19 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%180 lb vs 168 lb
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Fort Washington, Maryland
    UP1890 • Found Apr 6, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–39 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 91%45 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%175 lb vs 168 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Washington, District of Columbia
    UP73642 • Found Apr 26, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–37 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%33 mi away
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–5'8" vs 5'9"
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    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 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%9 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 24 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%169 lb vs 168 lb
    Hair 10%Black vs Blond
    Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
    UP2717 • Found Sep 19, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%6 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 21 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
    Weight 88%141 lb vs 168 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
    UP1835 • Found Apr 9, 1990
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 74%Est. 40–60 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%7 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'9"
    Weight 100%152 lb vs 168 lb
    Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Fairmont Heights, Maryland
    UP17706 • Found Dec 13, 2017
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%30 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 40 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9"–6'1" vs 5'9"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP56251
    John Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    UP56251 • Found Jul 23, 1985
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 76%96 mi away
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8"–5'10" vs 5'9"
    Weight 99%135–150 lb vs 168 lb
    Hair 40%Gray vs Blond
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Capitol Heights, Maryland
    UP10112 • Found Aug 6, 2011
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%31 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 34 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
    UP901 • Found May 5, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 29–39 vs 24 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%6 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 27 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'11" vs 5'9"

    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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Frank Ray Santmyer Jr., 24, of Ellicott City, Maryland, was last seen December 2, 1977, after an... ...Read More
    03/24/2024

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