TX TX - Michael James Gaughan, 17, El Paso, 20 July 1975

[MadMcGoo]

Missing Person / NamUs #MP4615
Michael James Gaughan, Male, White / Caucasian

1st picture 1974 Las Cruces High Schol, 2nd/3rd circa 1975​

Date of Last Contact: July 20, 1975
Missing From: El Paso, El Paso County, Texas / Las Cruces, Doña County, New Mexico
Agency Case Number: 201006925
NCMEC Case Number: 1157567
Investigating Agencies: Doña Ana County Sheriff's Department
-Sergeant John Lovelace: (505) 526-6611
-William McNeil, Cold Case/Missing Persons Detective: (575) 525-1911
-NCMEC Case Manager- Brenda Galarza, Admin, Claudia Silva, Liason: 1 (800) 843-5678
First Name: Michael
Middle Name: James
Last Name: Gaughan
Nickname/Alias: Mike
Date of Birth: October 10, 1957
Birth Place: Lawrence, Kansas
Missing Age: 17 years old
Height: 5'7"-5'8"
Weight: 135-145 pounds
Hair Color: Brown, neck-length
Eye Color: Green
Distinguishing Marks/Features: chipped upper front tooth, "zig zag" shaped scar on left forearm.
Tattoo: Scar is possibly some kind of homemade tattoo on left forearm

Dentals/Fingerprints: Not Available
DNA: Available

Details of Disappearance: Michael was last heard from when he made a long distance phone call to his parents in New Mexico from a phone booth El Paso, Texas at 7:15 a.m. on July 20, 1975. He told them he had car trouble and would be home later. He has never been heard from again. Two days later, July 22, at approximately 3:45PM, the vehicle Michael had been driving was found abandoned in the desert west of Las Cruces, New Mexico. There was no sign of him at the scene. Foul play is possible in his case, which remains unsolved. New Mexico police are investigating.

Sources:
The Charley Project
The Doe Network
NamUs

Exclusions: (65)
UP12266 1977 Hampton VA UP14901 1980 Cuyahoga OH
UP14360 2015 Bland VA UP7980 1981 Cuyahoga OH
UP12163 1995 Accomack VA UP2099 1986 Washoe NV
UP6639 2007 Fairfax VA UP2100 1987 Washoe NV
UP6746 1982 Newport News VA UP7469 1985 Washoe NV
UP6149 1996 Halifax VA UP2104 1984 Washoe NV
UP14518 2010 Shenandoah VA UP7988 1977 Jefferson CO
UP2230 1991 Richmond VA UP1212 1988 Miami-Dade FL
UP6474 1990 Prince William VA UP5207 1998 Will IL
UP6512 1985 Greensville VA UP1305 1980 Pinellas FL
UP8578 1981 Richmond VA UP1296 1980 Pinellas FL
UP2667 2008 Dinwiddie VA UP1271 1982 Pasco FL
UP6762 1995 Richmond VA UP2114 1988 Washoe NV
UP6640 1984 New Kent VA UP703 1981 Harris TX
UP6530 1990 Chesterfield VA UP5213 1980 Will IL
UP9399 1983 Caroline VA UP6643 1987 Caroline VA
UP13739 2015 Virginia Beach VA UP6725 2000 Virginia Beach VA
UP6303 1997 Warren VA UP2672 2008 Prince Edward VA
UP9385 1976 James City VA UP6637 2006 Fairfax VA
UP11248 2012 Alexandria VA UP6702 1979 Augusta VA
UP6315 2009 Mecklenburg VA UP7605 2010 Mecklenburg VA
UP8418 1992 Henrico VA UP6507 1988 Caroline VA
UP9398 1979 Charles City VA UP2229 1990 Stafford VA
UP6095 1995 Greensville VA UP6171 2005 Pittsylvania VA
UP787 2002 Richmond VA UP5239 2008 Lynchburg VA
UP6278 2007 Botetourt VA UP6304 1993 Clarke VA
UP2560 2003 Norfolk VA UP6745 1981 Virginia Beach VA
UP9340 1983 Chesapeake VA UP6513 1990 Brunswick VA
UP6719 1986 Alleghany VA UP630 1988 Caroline VA
UP9509 1983 Virginia Beach VA UP9342 1982 Chesapeake VA
UP5532 1992 Newport News VA UP6305 2002 Prince William VA
UP2626 1991 Virginia Beach VA

*I will check the list and edit as necessary; my math isn't working today

 

[MadMcGoo]

Am I crazy in thinking of Sumter County "Jock" Doe?? It didn't occur to me until I started entering his information. I've not done much searching, but his family was from New Mexico (I'm assuming that's why his vehicle was found in NM)...but I'll have to look a little later. His identifiers are almost exact matches to "Jock"'s. The age is 'iffy', Michael shows to have DNA available, but that's the first person who came to mind. JMO

 

[Dylansmom08]

I took another look at "Jock" Doe and I don't think it's a match although the pictures do look really similar the eye color is different as is the height and age. I know some of that stats can be a bit off because of estimation but I don't believe the eye color would be wrong. I can't find any others that were a good match for him either unfortunately.

 

[theshadow45]

Bumping for Michael, today is his birthday.

 

[Diavola]

Michael's case reminds me a bit of David Lovely. Both had vehicle troubles and made phone calls. The cases are ten years apart.
I wish there was more information about him. What was he doing in El Paso in the first place?

 

[theshadow45]

Michael has been missing for 46 years today.

 

[Schmurm]

I saw this guy, a John Doe in Chaffee County Colorado and thought he could be a good match for Mike Gaughan.
The UI was found about nine hours away from Las Cruces, NM.
The age is range is right. The estimated year of death is in the range.
CASE NUMBER - 1107UMCO
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

 

[MadMcGoo]

He also reminds me of Delafield John Doe.
1766UMWI

 

[theshadow45]

Bumping, today is Michael’s birthday.

 

[TSL7584]

Missing 47 years

 

[theshadow45]

Today is Mike’s birthday.

 

[spartanx]

I have the impression that this young man was approached by several people or maybe he brought a friend and he betrayed him... he murdered him and left the car in the desert... fingerprints tire tracks etc. no clue?

 

[Diane Redfern]

 

[theshadow45]

Michael has been missing for 48 years today.

 

[theshadow45]

Today is Michael’s birthday.