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Eric Podell Missing Person Case

Last seen in Silver Spring, Maryland on Jun 1, 1985

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Victim Details

Apr 22, 2021

Aug 3, 2023

Eric

Podell

61

20

68 inches

70 inches

150 lbs

180 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jun 1, 1985

Silver Spring

Maryland

Montgomery County

20905

No

103102

Montgomery County Police Department

Gaithersburg

Maryland

Montgomery County

20878

Public Safety Headquarters, Maryland

3012798000

County

Law Enforcement

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/about/index.html

210010972

Mar 23, 2020

Montgomery County Police Department

6701

Brown

Unknown

Unknown

Oct 13, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP79709) and 5 other sources
Eric Jay Podell, a 20-year-old man from Silver Spring, Maryland, was last seen on June 1, 1985. He was attending his younger sister's high school graduation with his family, and after the event, he disappeared without a trace. Described as being 5'8" to 5'10" in height and weighing between 150 and 180 pounds, Eric had brown hair and may have been wearing eyeglasses at the time of his disappearance.

Despite investigations by the Montgomery County Police Department, few details have emerged about the circumstances surrounding Eric’s disappearance, and the case remains unsolved. Eric's family has not heard from him since that day, and his whereabouts continue to be unknown decades later. He remains listed in national missing persons databases, but little new information has surfaced to help solve the mystery of his disappearance.

The authorities encourage anyone with information about Eric Podell's case to come forward to aid in the investigation.
Last Seen: Jun 1, 1985

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Eric Podell | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • MD - Eric Podell, 20, Silver Spring, 1 June 1985 | Websleuths
  • 6174DMMD - Eric Jay Podell - Doe Network
  • Missing Person: Eric Podell - SpotCrime

    • 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 — Baltimore, Maryland
    UP2714 • Found May 25, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–35 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%24 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 97%199 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Washington, District of Columbia
    UP13436 • Found Dec 8, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 38–52 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%13 mi away
    TimingFound 20 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%152 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    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 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%27 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%169 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    80%Moderate
    John Doe — Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP6859
    John Doe — Pennsylvania
    UP6859 • Found Aug 2, 1986
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 16–21 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 71%122 mi away
    TimingFound 14 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%180 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Washington, District of Columbia
    UP73642 • Found Apr 26, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 76%Est. 25–37 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 99%14 mi away
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–5'8" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — College Park, Maryland
    UP878 • Found Dec 24, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 18–25 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%8 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 22 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'6" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%178 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Manassas, Virginia - unidentified case UP6305
    John Doe — Manassas, Virginia
    UP6305 • Found Jul 30, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%36 mi away
    TimingFound 17 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'7"–5'8" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
    UP2717 • Found Sep 19, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%24 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%141 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
    UP4971 • Found Jul 4, 1997
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%26 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 93%128 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    79%Possible
    John Doe — Atlantic City, New Jersey
    UP9087 • Found Apr 26, 1987
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 20 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 67%139 mi away
    TimingFound 23 months after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"–5'10"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 150–180 lb
    Hair 100%Brown 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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Eric Jay Podell was 20 when he vanished after attending his younger sister’s high school graduation... ...Read More
    09/04/2023

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