The person at the center of this case
Richard Allen Houghland
Missing Person · Open
48 years waiting · since 1978
Missing Person: Richard Allen Houghland
Justice for Richard Allen Houghland — the trail went cold in 1978, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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person
Lead #1What were the exact circumstances when Richard was last seen with his mother and brother on July 11, 1978?
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witness
Lead #2Have family members or witnesses from 1978 been fully interviewed about Richard's disappearance?
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clue
Lead #3Were there any leads or sightings reported in the weeks and months following his disappearance?
Richard Allen Houghland, an 8-year-old boy, disappeared on July 11, 1978, in Sacramento, California, after being last seen with his mother Norma and brother Thomas. Nearly five decades later, his whereabouts remain unknown, and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance have never been fully resolved. Anyone with information about Richard's disappearance is urged to contact the Sacramento Police Department.
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP33817. Missing person: Richard Allen Houghland.
Last known contact: 1978-07-11 in Sacramento, Sacramento, CA. Circumstances: Richard Houghland was last seen with his mother, Norma HOUGHLAND (NamUs 33282) brother Thomas HOUGHLAND (NamUs 33819) on July 11, 1978.
He was 8 years old at the time. Demographics: 8 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 4 ft 0 in, 70 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Brown. Investigating agency: Sacramento Police Department | 13-9186 | 1978-07-24.
Timeline of Events
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1978-07-11
Richard Houghland Missing
8-year-old Richard Allen Houghland last seen with his mother Norma Houghland and brother Thomas Houghland in Sacramento, California
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1978-07-24
Case Reported to Police
Sacramento Police Department assigned case number 13-9186 and began investigation
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:July 11, 1978
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9168080560
You can remain anonymous
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Case Information
Incident:July 11, 1978
Last Updated:September 27, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 9168080560
You can remain anonymous