The person at the center of this case
Joseph F Jones
Missing Person · Open
16 years waiting · since 2009
Missing Person: Joseph F Jones
Justice for Joseph F Jones — the trail went cold in 2009, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1What caused the Bottom Basher to sink or become disabled, and why were multiple pieces of the vessel recovered while Joseph Jones was not found?
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person
Lead #2What were the circumstances surrounding the crew member whose body was recovered, and how do they relate to Joseph Jones's disappearance?
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witness
Lead #3Were there other witnesses besides the passing fisherman who saw the vessel or crew that day?
Joseph F Jones, a 28-year-old fisherman, disappeared on October 20, 2009, while aboard his fishing vessel the Bottom Basher near Falls Island in Cobscook Bay, Maine. The boat was headed out to drag for sea urchins when it was last seen by a passing fisherman; the body of a crew member was recovered the next day, and multiple pieces of the vessel have been found. Despite recovery efforts and ongoing investigation by the United States Coast Guard, Joseph Jones remains missing and the full circumstances of what happened that day remain unclear.
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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.
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clue
Lead #4What specific pieces of the boat were recovered and where, and do they provide clues about what happened?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP56348. Missing person: Joseph F Jones.
Last known contact: 2009-10-20 in Cobscook Bay, Washington, ME. Circumstances: Joseph Jones and his crew were aboard his fishing vessel, the Bottom Basher, headed out to drag for sea urchins.
The boat and crew were last seen by a passing fisherman near Falls Island, in the Cobscook Bay. The body of a crew member was recovered the next day.
Many pieces of the boat have been recovered. Demographics: 28 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 9 in, 150 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Blue. Investigating agency: United States Coast Guard | 479016 | 2009-10-20.
Timeline of Events
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2009-10-20
Joseph Jones and crew depart on Bottom Basher
Joseph F Jones and his crew departed aboard the fishing vessel Bottom Basher to drag for sea urchins in Cobscook Bay.
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2009-10-20
Vessel last sighted near Falls Island
The Bottom Basher was last seen by a passing fisherman near Falls Island in Cobscook Bay.
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2009-10-21
Crew member body recovered
The body of a crew member was recovered the day after the vessel was last seen.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:October 20, 2009
Last Updated:June 2, 2026
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Phone: 2252985400
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Case Information
Incident:October 20, 2009
Last Updated:June 2, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2252985400
You can remain anonymous