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Louis Kelem

The person at the center of this case

Louis Kelem

Case
#2018
SourceNamus MissingUpdated Jun 4, 2026
Los Angeles Police Department - Adult Missing Persons Unit
Missing Person · Open
37 years waiting · since 1988

Missing Person: Louis Kelem

Justice for Louis Kelem — the trail went cold in 1988, but the truth hasn't.

Start here

Key leads to think about

🚗
vehicle
Lead #1

Why was his car found in Palm Springs when he was last seen in Century City? Did he drive there himself or was the vehicle transported?

📍
location
Lead #2

What was the purpose of his visit to Century City on December 16, 1988? Did he have appointments or meetings scheduled?

🎯
suspect
Lead #3

Given that foul play is suspected, were there any persons of interest or known associates investigated in connection with his disappearance?

Louis Kelem, a 66-year-old man, disappeared on December 16, 1988, from the Century City section of Los Angeles after being last seen that day; his vehicle was later discovered abandoned in Palm Springs, approximately 100 miles away, raising serious concerns about foul play. Despite decades of investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear—whether he left voluntarily, met with an accident, or became a victim of crime. The case remains unsolved, and anyone with information about Louis Kelem's whereabouts or the events of that December day is urged to contact authorities.

Case
#2018
SourceNamus MissingUpdated Jun 4, 2026
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.

🔍
evidence
Lead #4

What evidence or circumstances led investigators to suspect foul play rather than voluntary disappearance?

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 MP17758. Missing person: Louis Kelem.

Last known contact: 1988-12-16 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. Circumstances: Louis Kelem was last seen on December 16, 1988, in the Century City section of Los Angeles, California.

His car was located in Palm Springs. Foul play is suspected.

Demographics: 66 years, Male, White / Caucasian. Physical description: 5 ft 6 in, 140 lbs, hair: Gray or Partially Gray, eyes: Brown.

Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Reddish leather sport coat style jacket, white v-necked sweater with brown stripes, white pattern dress shirt, and brown wool pants; Footwear: a pair of brown laced shoes. Investigating agency: Los Angeles Police Department- Adult Missing Persons Unit | 880745000.

Timeline of Events

👁️
1988-12-16

Last Seen in Century City

Louis Kelem was last seen on December 16, 1988, in the Century City section of Los Angeles, California.

🚗
1988-12-16

Vehicle Discovered in Palm Springs

His car was located in Palm Springs, approximately 100 miles from his last known location.

Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case

Case Information

Incident:December 16, 1988
Last Updated:June 11, 2026

Have Information?

Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.

Phone: 8772755273
You can remain anonymous

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Case Information

Incident:December 16, 1988
Last Updated:June 11, 2026

Have Information?

Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.

Phone: 8772755273
You can remain anonymous