The person at the center of this case
Ted Haywood Wall
Missing Person · Open - Unsolved
45 years waiting · since 1980
Missing Person: Ted Haywood Wall
Justice for Ted Haywood Wall — the trail went cold in 1980, but the truth hasn't.
Start here
Key leads to think about
👤
person
Lead #1What happened to Harold Jeffrey Mays, the 21-year-old companion aboard the vessel? Was he also lost at sea?
🚗
vehicle
Lead #2Why was no trace of the 23-foot Sea Ox fiberglass boat ever found despite intensive search of 104,000 square miles?
💡
clue
Lead #3Could the engine freeze plug failure have been accidental, or does the complete absence of wreckage suggest other circumstances?
Ted Haywood Wall, a 22-year-old, disappeared on November 13, 1980, while fishing aboard a 23-foot Sea Ox boat approximately 16 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, when the vessel experienced engine problems. His companion, Harold Jeffrey Mays, was also aboard during what may have been a boating accident or involved foul play. Despite an extensive U.S. Coast Guard search covering 104,000 square miles with 47 aircraft sorties and 10 surface units, no trace of the vessel, crew, or debris has ever been found in over four decades.
Case
#2432
United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, District 5
Try asking
Claim this imported case
A one-time $10 claim transfers this imported case workspace to your account. You get 10 uploads for this case, 25 daily AI questions for this case, and public tips with files route to you.
10 uploads25 AI questions/day
This does not start a subscription. When the included limits are reached, the Personal plan unlocks more workspace capacity.
More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
🔍
evidence
Lead #4Were there any distress signals, debris, or bodies recovered in the years following the 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 MP14851. Missing person: Ted Haywood Wall.
Last known contact: 1980-11-13 in Cape Hatteras, Dare, NC. Circumstances: Missing at sea aboard a 23' Sea Ox fiberglass boat.
Was last known/seen alive on his friends boat during a fishing trip in or near the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean out 16 miles southeast from the inlet off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina on 11-13-80 at 1:30 PM. Allegedly experienced outboard engine problems with the engine "freeze plug".
Ted Wall, aged 22 was in the company of another young man named Harold Jeffrey Mays, age 21. Possibly a boating accident or may be related to foul play.
US Coast Guard coordinated efforts of search of 104,000 square miles of ocean involving 47 aircraft sorties and 10 surface units. No trace of vessel, crew or debris found during search or in subsequent 3+ decades.
Companion case to NamUs MP14742. Demographics: 21 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 6 ft 1 in, 180 lbs, hair: Sandy, eyes: Hazel. Investigating agency: United States Coast Guard Investigative Service | District 5 Case 0093 - 13 | 1980-11-13.
Timeline of Events
👤
1980-11-13
13:30Last Known Contact
Ted Haywood Wall and Harold Jeffrey Mays last seen alive aboard 23' Sea Ox fiberglass boat during fishing trip in Gulf Stream, approximately 16 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras inlet. Vessel experienced outboard engine problems with freeze plug failure.
🕵️
1980-11-13
Coast Guard Search Initiated
U.S. Coast Guard coordinated extensive search effort covering 104,000 square miles involving 47 aircraft sorties and 10 surface units. No vessel, crew, or debris recovered.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:November 13, 1980 at 1:30 PM
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
Leave a comment
Comments
Case Information
Incident:November 13, 1980 at 1:30 PM
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