John Henry Jacobson was five years old when he disappeared from Bismarck, North Dakota, on November 16, 1996. He was last seen with his mother, Sandra M. Jacobson, leaving a relative’s home in Sandra’s gray 1990 Honda Civic to buy gasoline at about 8:00 p.m.

Sandra and John reportedly bought fuel but never returned to her mother’s home. Sandra’s mother called police about 10:00 p.m. that night. The next day the Honda was found at the Centennial Beach parking lot near the Missouri River with the driver’s side door open, keys in the ignition, and Sandra’s purse on the front seat. A shoe that may have belonged to John was found during searches of the river and beach, though severe weather and strong currents limited the effort.

The case remains open with the Bismarck Police Department; NamUs, NCMEC (case 826663), and state cold case listings continue to associate the investigation with that agency. If anyone has information about John or remembers that night, please contact the Bismarck Police Department or NCMEC’s 24-hour tip line at 1-800-843-5678.