The person at the center of this case
Joseph Wayne McCartan
Missing Person · Open
18 years waiting · since 2008
Missing Person: Joseph Wayne McCartan
Justice for Joseph Wayne McCartan — the trail went cold in 2008, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1What were the exact circumstances of the fall overboard? Were there witnesses on the boat?
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location
Lead #2Where precisely in Texas waters was the shrimping boat when McCartan disappeared?
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witness
Lead #3Were there crew members present who could provide details about the incident?
Joseph Wayne McCartan, a 34-year-old shrimper from Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, went missing on August 3, 2008, after reportedly falling overboard from a shrimping boat in Texas waters. The U.S. Coast Guard launched a search operation, but McCartan was never recovered and the exact circumstances of his disappearance remain unclear. Anyone with information about McCartan's whereabouts or the incident is urged to contact the Coast Guard.
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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.
💡
clue
Lead #4Has any physical evidence or remains ever been recovered from the Gulf of Mexico?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP4163. Missing person: Joseph Wayne McCartan.
Last known contact: 2008-08-03 in N/A, Plaquemines, LA. Circumstances: Last seen on shrimping boat in Texas, presumed to have fallen overboard.
Was from Plaquemines Parish, LA. Reported missing with the U.S.
Coast Guard. Demographics: 34 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 8 in, 180 lbs, hair: Black, eyes: Blue. Clothing and accessories: Clothing: usually wears white t-shirts, jeans, tennis shoes, and hat.
Investigating agency: United States Coast Guard District 8 | MISLE 328-91-40.
Timeline of Events
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2008-08-03
Last Known Contact
Joseph Wayne McCartan last seen on shrimping boat in Texas waters; presumed to have fallen overboard
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 3, 2008
Last Updated:June 24, 2026
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Phone: 5045896225
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Case Information
Incident:August 3, 2008
Last Updated:June 24, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 5045896225
You can remain anonymous