The person at the center of this case
Thomas James
Missing Person · Open
28 years waiting · since 1998
Missing Person: Thomas James
Justice for Thomas James — the trail went cold in 1998, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1Why did Thomas leave his wallet, credit cards, driver's license, passport, and cash at home if he disappeared intentionally?
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vehicle
Lead #2What circumstances led to his car being abandoned in Burbank, and was it driven there by Thomas or someone else?
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clue
Lead #3His ATM card was missing—did he withdraw cash before disappearing, and can transaction records help establish a timeline?
Thomas James, a 41-year-old man employed at Universal Studios for 15 years, disappeared on June 18, 1998, from Los Angeles. His abandoned car was found in Burbank two weeks later, but he left behind his wallet with identification, credit cards, and cash at home—suggesting an unexpected departure. Despite the Los Angeles Police Department's investigation, his whereabouts remain unknown, and anyone with information about his disappearance is urged to come forward.
Case
#4691
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.
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witness
Lead #4Were there any witnesses at Universal Studios or along the route to Burbank who saw Thomas or his vehicle on June 18-19, 1998?
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 MP19499. Missing person: Thomas James.
Last known contact: 1998-06-18 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. Circumstances: He was last seen on June 18, 1998 at Universal Studios where he had been employed for 15 years.
He was living in the 4000 block of Cromwell Avenue in the Los Feliz District of Los Angeles, California at the time. His car was discovered abandoned in Burbank, California on July 1.
He left his wallet at his home with credit cards, his driver's license, passport and cash. Demographics: 41 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 8 in, 145 lbs, hair: Black, eyes: Brown. Clothing and accessories: Accessories: Family members could not find his automatic-teller card and believed he might have been carrying it when he disappeared..
Investigating agency: Los Angeles Police Department- Adult Missing Persons Unit | 98-1116940 | 1998-06-19.
Timeline of Events
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1998-06-18
Last Sighting at Universal Studios
Thomas James was last seen on June 18, 1998, at Universal Studios where he had worked for 15 years.
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1998-07-01
Abandoned Vehicle Found
His car was discovered abandoned in Burbank, California on July 1, 1998.
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1998-06-19
Investigation Opened
Los Angeles Police Department opened case MP19499 / 98-1116940 on June 19, 1998.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:June 18, 1998
Last Updated:October 23, 2026
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Phone: 8772755273
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Case Information
Incident:June 18, 1998
Last Updated:October 23, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 8772755273
You can remain anonymous