The person at the center of this case
Michael Joseph Owen
Missing Person · Open
48 years waiting · since 1978
Missing Person: Michael Joseph Owen
Justice for Michael Joseph Owen — the trail went cold in 1978, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
👤
person
Lead #1Why did Owen use the alias Brian Jacobson, and did this complicate missing person searches?
⏰
timeline
Lead #2What were Owen's exact movements between Leadville, San Diego, and Hawaii during 1978-1982?
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evidence
Lead #3What records exist from the pink church in Leadville that might document Owen's residence or contacts?
Michael Joseph Owen, a 30-year-old surfer and transient, was last known to be in contact on January 1, 1978, in Leadville, Colorado, though he also lived in a pink church there around 1982 and frequently traveled between San Diego, California and Hawaii. Owen struggled with mental illness compounded by drug use and sometimes used the alias Brian Jacobson, making his movements difficult to track. Despite investigations by Maui County Police Department and Coroner, his whereabouts and fate remain unknown, and anyone with information about his movements or contacts during this period is urged to come forward.
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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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contact
Lead #4Who were Owen's known associates or family members who might have information about his disappearance?
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clue
Lead #5How did Owen's mental illness and drug use affect his ability to maintain contact with family or authorities?
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 MP29978. Missing person: Michael Joseph Owen.
Last known contact: 1978-01-01 in Leadville, Lake, CO. Circumstances: Michael Joseph Owen lived in a pink church in Leadville in 1982.
He was somewhat transient between San Diego, California and Hawaii - and was an avid surfer. He often went by the name Brian Jacobson.
He suffered from mental illness exacerbated by drug use. Demographics: 30 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 0 in, 140 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Blue. Investigating agency: Maui County Police Department and Coroner | NOT PROVIDED.
Timeline of Events
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1978-01-01
Last known contact
Michael Joseph Owen was last known to be in contact in Leadville, Lake County, Colorado on January 1, 1978.
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1982
Pink church residence
Owen was known to have lived in a pink church in Leadville around 1982.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 1, 1978
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8082446400
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Case Information
Incident:January 1, 1978
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8082446400
You can remain anonymous