The person at the center of this case
John Donal Rafferty
Missing Person · Open
47 years waiting · since 1979
Missing Person: John Donal Rafferty
Justice for John Donal Rafferty — the trail went cold in 1979, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
👁️
witness
Lead #1Did anyone at UCLA Medical Center in 1980-1981 interact with or remember a patient matching Rafferty's description being treated for mugging injuries?
💡
clue
Lead #2What was Rafferty's employment history as a landscaper, rug cleaner, or carpenter in Los Angeles—did any employers or coworkers have contact with him after 1980?
📍
location
Lead #3Why did Rafferty travel from Dallas to Los Angeles in May 1979, and did he have family, friends, or connections in the Los Angeles area?
John Donal Rafferty, a 30-year-old white male, left Dallas in May 1979 and was last known to be in Los Angeles, California. He was treated for injuries from a mugging at UCLA Medical Center around 1980 or 1981 and may have worked odd jobs as a landscaper, rug cleaner, or carpenter. Nearly five decades later, his whereabouts remain unknown, and investigators seek any information about his life in Los Angeles or his current status.
Case
#2515
Los Angeles Police Department - Adult Missing Persons Unit
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
⏰
timeline
Lead #4What specific circumstances led to the mugging in 1980 or 1981, and were there any police reports filed about the incident?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP13016. Missing person: John Donal Rafferty.
Last known contact: 1979-05-01 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. Circumstances: Left Dallas in May 1979, treated for mugging in Los Angles CA 1980 or '81 (UCLA Medical Center), may work for cash as landscaper, rug cleaner, carpenter.
Demographics: 30 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 7 in, 125 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Hazel.
Investigating agency: Los Angeles Police Department- Adult Missing Persons Unit | 130325305.
Timeline of Events
👁️
1979-05-01
Last known contact
John Donal Rafferty last known to be in Los Angeles, California after leaving Dallas in May 1979
📋
1980-1981
Medical treatment for mugging
Treated for injuries sustained in a mugging at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:May 1, 1979
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8772755273
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Case Information
Incident:May 1, 1979
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8772755273
You can remain anonymous