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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 (MP498) and 2 other sources
In the autumn of 1965, a 32-year-old U.S. Navy veteran named John Robert 'Bobby' Davidson was building a new life in Phoenix, Arizona. Having recently gone through a divorce, he had relocated to the city that March and was working as an appliance repairman for the Byassee Equipment Company. His employer was so impressed with his work ethic and rapport with customers that he was considering making him a partner in the business. On the evening of November 20, 1965, Davidson cashed his $90 paycheck after work and went back to his apartment near 20th Street and Roosevelt to freshen up. He then drove his Mercedes to Kissel's Cocktail Lounge, located at 25 E. Monroe St. in downtown Phoenix.

Witnesses at the lounge recalled Davidson having a single drink before he left around 10 p.m., mentioning he was going to get dinner. This was the last time anyone reported seeing John 'Bobby' Davidson. Sometime later, his Mercedes was found locked and abandoned in a loading zone near the cocktail lounge. Inside the trunk were all of his work tools, including an expensive electronics tester worth $140. The discovery of his car with his valuable tools left behind was one of the first signs that his disappearance was not voluntary.

The investigation into his whereabouts revealed a man who was unlikely to have left on his own. Davidson had recently made a car payment and paid his rent in advance. He left behind all of his clothing and personal possessions in his apartment. He also owned a cabin in Prescott, Arizona, that he enjoyed visiting, which was left untouched. His ex-wife had since remarried, and while he didn't have family in the immediate Phoenix area, his boss and acquaintances described him as a reliable and well-liked individual with no known enemies. They firmly believed that he would not have just walked away from his life without informing someone. The Phoenix Police Department has investigated his case, but for decades, no trace of John Robert Davidson has been found, leaving his disappearance an unresolved mystery.

Last Seen: Nov 20, 1965

Possible Unidentified Matches (8)

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 — Phoenix, Arizona - unidentified case UP1956
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP1956 • Found Feb 13, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 33 years after last seen
Height 100%6'2" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 68%200 lb vs 150–160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona - unidentified case UP1899
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP1899 • Found Sep 2, 1982
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 92%Est. 50–60 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 17 years after last seen
Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 92%128 lb vs 150–160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
78%Possible
John Doe — Laveen, Arizona - unidentified case UP2028
John Doe — Laveen, Arizona
UP2028 • Found Nov 23, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%8 mi away, same county
TimingFound 38 years after last seen
Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 74%196 lb vs 150–160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
78%Possible
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona - unidentified case UP1904
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP1904 • Found Aug 4, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 94%130 lb vs 150–160 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Rio Verde, Arizona - unidentified case UP13861
John Doe — Rio Verde, Arizona
UP13861 • Found Apr 28, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 95%30 mi away, same county
TimingFound 49 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Tempe, Arizona - unidentified case UP2042
John Doe — Tempe, Arizona
UP2042 • Found Mar 11, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–60 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 37 years after last seen
Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 84%122 lb vs 150–160 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
77%Possible
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona - unidentified case UP1919
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP1919 • Found Jun 23, 1988
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 23 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 80%191 lb vs 150–160 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Peoria, Arizona - unidentified case UP142022
John Doe — Peoria, Arizona
UP142022 • Found Feb 12, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 57–70 vs 32 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%26 mi away, same county
TimingFound 59 years after last seen
Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"–6'2"
Weight 100%120–150 lb vs 150–160 lb
Hair 70%Gray 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.