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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witness
Lead #1What were the circumstances of Morris Triplett's account of the fishing trip, and did he also go missing or return safely?
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location
Lead #2Were there specific fishing locations or waters they planned to visit that day, and have those areas been thoroughly searched?
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evidence
Lead #3What condition was their fishing vessel or equipment found in, if at all?
Larry Johnson, a 20-year-old male, disappeared on August 4, 1989, during a fishing trip with Morris Triplett near Carolina Beach, North Carolina. The two left around 5:30 AM on Friday, and when they failed to return by 9 AM Saturday, families alerted authorities who launched extensive search efforts by the Carolina Beach Police Department and US Coast Guard. Despite thorough searches of the area, no trace of Johnson has been found, leaving questions about what happened during that fishing expedition and whether he may have encountered an accident at sea or on land.
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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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timeline
Lead #4Why was there a 28-hour gap before families reported them missing—was there any communication or expected check-in time?
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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 concern
When Johnson and Triplett had not returned home by 9 AM on Saturday, August 5, 1989, their families became concerned and authorities were notified
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 4, 1989 at 5:30 AM
Last Updated:June 18, 2026
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Phone: 2023723000
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Case Information
Incident:August 4, 1989 at 5:30 AM
Last Updated:June 18, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2023723000
You can remain anonymous