The person at the center of this case
Larry Johnson
Missing Person · Open
36 years waiting · since 1989
Missing Person: Larry Johnson
Justice for Larry Johnson — the trail went cold in 1989, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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person
Lead #1What was the relationship between Larry Johnson and Morris Triplett, and were there any circumstances that might explain their simultaneous disappearance?
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location
Lead #2What specific fishing location or waterway were they heading to, and were there known hazards or conditions that day?
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evidence
Lead #3Were any personal belongings, fishing equipment, or the vessel they used ever recovered?
Larry Johnson, a 20-year-old male, disappeared on August 4, 1989, during a fishing trip with Morris Triplett near Carolina Beach, North Carolina. When the two men failed to return home by Saturday morning, families alerted authorities and the Coast Guard launched an extensive search of the area. Despite widespread efforts by the Carolina Beach Police Department and US Coast Guard, no trace of Johnson has been found in over three decades.
Case
#2433
United States Coast Guard Investigative Service; Carolina Beach Police Department
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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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witness
Lead #4Were there any witnesses who saw the men or their vehicle on the morning of August 4, 1989?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP25605. Missing person: Larry Johnson.
Last known contact: 1989-08-04 in Carolina Beach, New Hanover, NC. Circumstances: Fishing trip with Morris Triplett, MP 23166, in which they left at around 5:30 am on Friday, August 4, 1989.
When they hadn't returned home by 9 am on Saturday, August 5, 1989, the families became concerned for their whereabouts. The Carolina Beach Police Department and US Coast Guard searched the area widely without any success.
Demographics: 20 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 10 in, 165 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown.
Investigating agency: United States Coast Guard Investigative Service.
Timeline of Events
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1989-08-04
05:30Fishing trip departure
Larry Johnson and Morris Triplett departed for a fishing trip at approximately 5:30 am on Friday, August 4, 1989
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1989-08-05
09:00Families report missing persons
When the men had not returned home by 9 am on Saturday, August 5, 1989, families became concerned and contacted authorities
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1989-08-05
Search initiated
Carolina Beach Police Department and US Coast Guard began extensive search operations in the area
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 4, 1989 at 5:30 AM
Last Updated:June 24, 2026
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Phone: 2023723000
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Case Information
Incident:August 4, 1989 at 5:30 AM
Last Updated:June 24, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2023723000
You can remain anonymous