Missing Person Photos
A missing person is a person who has disappeared and whose status as alive or dead cannot be confirmed as their location and condition are unknown. A person may go missing through a voluntary disappearance, or else due to an accident, crime, death in a location where they cannot be found (such as at sea), or many other reasons. In most parts of the world, a missing person will usually be found quickly. While criminal abductions are some of the most widely reported missing person cases, these account for only 2 to 5 percent of missing children in Europe.
By contrast, some missing person cases remain unresolved for many years. Laws related to these cases are often complex since, in many jurisdictions, relatives and third parties may not deal with a person's assets until their death is considered proven by law and a formal death certificate issued. The situation, uncertainties, and lack of closure or a funeral resulting when a person goes missing may be extremely painful with long-lasting effects on family and friends.
A number of organizations seek to connect, share best practices, and disseminate information and images of missing children to improve the effectiveness of missing children investigations, including the International Commission on Missing Persons, the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), as well as national organizations, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in the US, Missing People in the UK, Child Focus in Belgium, and The Smile of the Child in Greece.
Resources for Missing Persons
According to current statistics, 4,000 people in the United States go missing every day.
Sometimes a child suddenly vanishes from the bus stop or the local park or even from their own yard or bedroom. Or a teenager doesn�t return home after a walk to the neighborhood grocery store or a bike ride or a party with friends.
Other times, an adult is mysteriously absent from their job or neighbors haven�t seen them for several days, and family and friends haven�t heard from them either.
Missing Person Photos
Gus Henry Hoffman Jr.
Hoffman, date, approximate 1978; Hoffman's motorcycle
Date Missing 07/04/1978
Missing From
San Jose, California
Missing Classification Endangered Missing
Sex Male
Race
White
Date of Birth 01/04/1958 (64)
Age 20 years old
Height and Weight 5'8, 120 pounds
Associated Vehicle(s) Red 1966 Harley Davidson Sportster motorcycle with a hard-tail frame, a springer front end, California license plates, chrome trim and yellow flames on the gas tank
Markings and/or Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Brown hair, brown eyes. Hoffman's nickname is Gussie, and he may use the first name Augustine.
Details of Disappearance Hoffman was last seen in San Jose, California on July 4, 1978. He did not habitually ride motorcycles, but he enjoyed restoring vintage ones. He had purchased a motorcycle in October 1977 and spent eight months restoring it. He stated he planned to sell it when he was done.
On the day of his disappearance, he finished restoring the motorcycle, showed it to his brother, then went for a ride on it. He never returned home and has never been heard from again, and his motorcycle was never found. It's described as a red 1966 Harley Davidson Sportster model with a hard-tail frame, a springer front end, California license plates, chrome trim and yellow flames on the gas tank. A photo of the restored motorcycle is posted with this summary.
Hoffman's mother attempted to file a missing persons report when he did not return home, but in accordance with accepted policy at the time, authorities refused to accept the report until 48 hours had passed. In the meantime, Hoffman's mother canvassed the neighborhood, asking everyone if they had seen her son.
One witness reported seeing Hoffman with two other men riding motorcycles. The men were arguing with Hoffman and threatened him with chains, and when he drove away on his motorcycle they followed him. The men were later identified as members of a local motorcycle gang.
In 1988, Michael Allen Hodges, Richard Morris Dollar and John Michael "Slug" Stelle were charged with Hoffman's murder. Authorities believe Hoffman was tortured, sodomized and kicked to death by members of a local motorcycle gang in a garage in San Jose, and his motorcycle was stolen.
Witnesses initially refused to cooperate with the investigation out of fear of reprisal, which is why it took a decade for charges to be brought against the men. All three defendants were convicted of Hoffman's murder in 1990 and sentenced to life in prison.
Hoffman's remains have never been found, but foul play is suspected in his due to the circumstances involved.
Investigating Agency
San Jose Police Department
408-227-4141
Other
The Doe Network
The San Jose Mercury News
The Dayton Daily News
The St. Paul Pioneer Press
The Long Beach Press-Telegram
The San Francisco Chronicle
NamUs
Missing Person Photos
A missing person is a person who has disappeared and whose status as alive or dead cannot be confirmed as their location and condition are unknown. A person may go missing through a voluntary disappearance, or else due to an accident, crime, death in a location where they cannot be found (such as at sea), or many other reasons. In most parts of the world, a missing person will usually be found quickly. While criminal abductions are some of the most widely reported missing person cases, these account for only 2 to 5 percent of missing children in Europe.
By contrast, some missing person cases remain unresolved for many years. Laws related to these cases are often complex since, in many jurisdictions, relatives and third parties may not deal with a person's assets until their death is considered proven by law and a formal death certificate issued. The situation, uncertainties, and lack of closure or a funeral resulting when a person goes missing may be extremely painful with long-lasting effects on family and friends.
A number of organizations seek to connect, share best practices, and disseminate information and images of missing children to improve the effectiveness of missing children investigations, including the International Commission on Missing Persons, the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), as well as national organizations, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in the US, Missing People in the UK, Child Focus in Belgium, and The Smile of the Child in Greece.
Resources for Missing Persons
According to current statistics, 4,000 people in the United States go missing every day.
Sometimes a child suddenly vanishes from the bus stop or the local park or even from their own yard or bedroom. Or a teenager doesn�t return home after a walk to the neighborhood grocery store or a bike ride or a party with friends.
Other times, an adult is mysteriously absent from their job or neighbors haven�t seen them for several days, and family and friends haven�t heard from them either.
Missing Person Photos
