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Case Description

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Earl Allen Elson, 27, was last seen on October 16, 1981, in Coos Bay, Oregon, along with his wife, Denise Marie Elson. The couple disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and their vehicle was later found abandoned. Authorities believe the couple may have met with foul play, but no concrete evidence has surfaced to determine what happened.

At the time of his disappearance, Earl was described as 6'4" tall, weighing around 235 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Despite extensive se ...Read More
Last Seen: Oct 16, 1981

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Victim Details

Jul 09, 2023

Jun 18, 2024

Earl

Elson

70

27

76 inches

235 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the autumn of 1981, a young couple disappeared from the coastal town of Coos Bay, Oregon, leaving behind a mystery that has endured for decades. On October 16, 1981, 27-year-old Earl Allen Elson and his wife, Denise Marie Elson, were last seen. At the time of his disappearance, Earl was described as a tall man, standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing around 235 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. The couple's sudden vanishing sparked concern among those who knew them, and the subsequent discovery of their abandoned vehicle only deepened the unfolding mystery. The circumstances surrounding their last known moments remain unclear, launching a case that has left family and investigators searching for answers for many years. The initial investigation into the disappearance of Earl and Denise Elson uncovered very few leads. The discovery of their abandoned car was a significant but perplexing piece of evidence. It offered no clear indication of what might have happened to them. Authorities have long suspected that the couple may have been met with foul play, but a lack of concrete evidence has hampered the investigation. Over the years, the case has grown cold, with few new developments to shed light on their fate. The community of Coos Bay was left to wonder about the quiet couple who seemed to vanish without a trace. The passage of time has not diminished the questions that surround this troubling and unsolved case. The disappearance of Earl Allen Elson and his wife is a story marked by lingering uncertainty. With no clear evidence to explain their vanishing, the case has remained open and is considered unsolved. Investigators have been unable to determine the exact events that transpired on that October day in 1981. The absence of any contact from Earl or Denise since their disappearance, coupled with the discovery of their abandoned car, points towards a grim conclusion. This lack of resolution has left a lasting impact on their families and the community, a poignant reminder of two lives that were inexplicably cut short. The case of Earl and Denise Elson remains a somber and perplexing mystery in the history of Curry County.

Oct 16, 1981

Coos Bay

Oregon

Curry County

No

126694

Curry County Sheriff's Office

Gold Beach

Oregon

Curry County

97444

94235 Moore Street, Suite 311, Oregon

5412473276

County

Law Enforcement

81-C-4726

Curry County Sheriff's Office

3830

Brown

Blue

Blue

06/05/2026


Area Last Seen: