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Joseph Breen Missing Person Case

Last seen in Boston, Massachusetts on Nov 12, 1979

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Victim Details

Jun 13, 2022

Jan 12, 2024

Joseph

Breen

70

23

66 inches

140 lbs

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Nov 12, 1979

Boston

Massachusetts

Suffolk County

02127

No

115557

Boston Police Department

Boston

Massachusetts

Suffolk County

02120

Amy Erlandson-Lapointe

Sergeant Detective

1 Schroeder Plaza, Massachusetts

6173434500

Local

Law Enforcement

bpdnews.com

222047498

Boston Police Department

na

Black

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 6, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP92282) and 9 other sources
On the evening of November 12, 1979, 23-year-old Joseph Patrick Breen was last seen in his South Boston neighborhood. That night, he went out and never returned home. Since that day, he has not been seen or heard from again. At the time of his disappearance, Joseph, also known as Joey, was described as a white male with black hair and hazel eyes. He stood at five feet six inches tall and weighed approximately 140 pounds. A noticeable scar was present on his right arm. The clothing he was wearing on the night he vanished consisted of a blue jacket, a white shirt with red trim, a green sweater, and blue jeans.

The circumstances surrounding Joseph Breen's disappearance remain shrouded in mystery, with very few details available to the public. Over the years, law enforcement has periodically sought the public's assistance for any information regarding his whereabouts. The Boston Police Department's Unsolved Squad has been the primary agency investigating the case and has encouraged anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. Despite the passage of several decades, the case remains an active missing person investigation.

The lack of concrete leads or significant developments has left Joseph's family and the community without answers for over four decades. The case is a somber reminder of the many individuals who go missing each year, leaving behind lives in suspension and loved ones in a perpetual state of uncertainty. The investigation into what happened to Joseph Breen on that November night in 1979 continues, a cold case that serves as a testament to the enduring hope for resolution and the lasting impact of a person's unexplained absence.
Last Seen: Nov 12, 1979

Links to Additional Sources (9)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Boston 25 News - Boston Police say Joseph Patrick Breen...
  • Boston police seek info on South Boston missing person case from ...
  • Missing Person from South Boston in 1979 - BPD is looking for ...
  • Boston Police asking for help with missing person's case from 1979
  • Joseph Patrick Breen - The Charley Project
  • Obituary information for Leo J. Breen - Melrose - Gately Funeral Home
  • MA - Joseph Patrick Breen, 23, Boston, 12 Nov 1979 | Websleuths
  • Joseph Patrick Breen, Male, White / Caucasian Missing Person ...
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP92282

    • 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 — Revere, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14115
    John Doe — Revere, Massachusetts
    UP14115 • Found Aug 12, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%5 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
    Weight 92%170 lb vs 140–150 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15937
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP15937 • Found Jun 20, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 47 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%3 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 27 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%133 lb vs 140–150 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 30%Blue vs Hazel
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Smithfield, Rhode Island - unidentified case UP12497
    John Doe — Smithfield, Rhode Island
    UP12497 • Found Jun 18, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%39 mi away
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
    Weight 95%122 lb vs 140–150 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP57694 • Found Feb 18, 2019
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%3 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 39 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%162 lb vs 140–150 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15944
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP15944 • Found May 16, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 43 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%2 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 27 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%131 lb vs 140–150 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Sharon, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP16369
    John Doe — Sharon, Massachusetts
    UP16369 • Found Jun 6, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 88%Est. 18–22 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 98%16 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 7 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%135 lb vs 140–150 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    79%Possible
    John Doe — North Attleborough, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15501
    John Doe — North Attleborough, Massachusetts
    UP15501 • Found Apr 11, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%30 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 27 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%153 lb vs 140–150 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Black
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP15971 • Found Mar 14, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%2 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 24 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
    Weight 100%145 lb vs 140–150 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP15715
    John Doe — Boston, Massachusetts
    UP15715 • Found Jul 20, 2016
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 98%Est. 60–65 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%2 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 37 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
    Weight 77%181 lb vs 140–150 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Black
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Somerville, Massachusetts - unidentified case UP14725
    John Doe — Somerville, Massachusetts
    UP14725 • Found Dec 13, 2009
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 44–46 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%5 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 30 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
    Weight 76%182 lb vs 140–150 lb
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black

    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)

    Joseph Patrick Breen, known as Joey, was 23 when he was last seen in South Boston on the evening of... ...Read More
    12/12/2024

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