Name: Michael James Gaughan
Nickname/Alias: Mike
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: July 20, 1975
Location Last Seen: El Paso, El Paso County, Texas
Date of Birth: October 10, 1957
Age: 17 years old
Race: White
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 7" - 5' 8"
Weight: 135 - 145 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Green
Distinguishing Marks/Features: "zig zag" shaped scar on left forearm; possibly has a homemade tattoo on left forearm
Dentals: Not Available; chipped upper front tooth
Fingerprints: Not Available
DNA: Available
Clothing: Unknown
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
Michael Gaughan was last heard from when he made a long distance phone call from El Paso, TX to his parents in New Mexico at 7:15AM on July 20, 1975. He informed them he had car trouble and would be home later. This call was made from a pay telephone booth.
Two days later, July 22, at approximately 3:45PM, the vehicle Michael had been driving was found abandoned in the desert, west of Las Cruces, New Mexico. There was no sign of Michael at the scene. He has not been seen or heard from since the morning he called home. Foul play is suspected.
Agency Name: Dona Ana County Sheriff's Department
Agency Contact Person: Det. William McNeil
Agency Phone Number: (575) 525-1911
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 201006925
NamUs Case Number: MP4615
NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NCMEC Case Number: 1157567
Added: 06/29/2006; Last Updated: 05/01/2024 - By: mc
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information is from the time of disappearance.
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