I had seen this one before, but forgot much of the details. Gosh, this is an aggravating case: imagine being 5 minutes away from him, gah.

This would be a good to update on the new UM: I wonder if there have been more sightings: if not, I'm afraid he might have died of starvation or something.

anyone else freaked out by the actor that played Gordon? :eek:

and why nothing on the other person that disappeared from the boat? Maybe she ran into a similar fate and could have been found had she been profiled in the segment. seems like they missed a good opportunity there.

Okay... Does anyone else think it is very weird that for all the sightings of this guy and his family being within 5 minutes of finding him, there hasn't ever been an update? Not only that, but you can't find boo about his case anywhere on the internet.

For a case so recent, and with so many sightings, that strikes me as VERY odd. Most missing people have tons about them, in an effort to find them.

Is there something on this case I'm missing? Did they figure out he doesn't want to be found? Did they find a body?

Anyone else freaked out that they based his composite sketch on a picture of Jesus?

I don't think Gordon Collins was really 5 minutes away from his parents. I think people probably told them that so they'd get reward money if they found him. Either that, or there was another person around who looked vaguely like him.

Anyone else freaked out that they based his composite sketch on a picture of Jesus?

LMAO! :lol:

I thought it was just me! My grandma had a picture of "friendly Jesus" that looked just like G.C.'s composite up in her house.

The composite did look a little too clean for a homeless wanderer with amnesia and no money.

The more I think about it, there was nothing right about that case at all.

My grandma had a picture of "friendly Jesus" that looked just like G.C.'s composite up in her house.

Hee! My grandma had that picture too! Maybe we're cousins???

It seemed to me they left out alot of info in this one just to make it more of a mystery. Does anyone remember if they found the bodies of the other people that were in the boat with him?

It seemed to me they left out alot of info in this one just to make it more of a mystery. Does anyone remember if they found the bodies of the other people that were in the boat with him?

the segment stated that 2 of the 3 bodies were found. Gordon's friend's wife was also missing. As I noted above, it was strange that nothing was mentioned of her.

I had seen this one before, but forgot much of the details. Gosh, this is an aggravating case: imagine being 5 minutes away from him, gah.

This would be a good to update on the new UM: I wonder if there have been more sightings: if not, I'm afraid he might have died of starvation or something.

anyone else freaked out by the actor that played Gordon? :eek:

and why nothing on the other person that disappeared from the boat? Maybe she ran into a similar fate and could have been found had she been profiled in the segment. seems like they missed a good opportunity there.




Who's Gordon Collins? I don't remember this case. Anyone have a picture of this guy?

Who's Gordon Collins? I don't remember this case. Anyone have a picture of this guy?

He went missing on a ship wreck in the pacific near Baja California. Then numerous people said they saw or talked to him down there. His family was said to be within "5 minutes" of him, yet he was never found.

After the shipwreck, he looked like this:

http://www.kendraburton.com/kendra%20burton%20images/kendra%20burton%20art%20jesus%20smiles%205x7-60.jpg


Only without the robes. . . :lol:

He went missing on a ship wreck in the pacific near Baja California. Then numerous people said they saw or talked to him down there. His family was said to be within "5 minutes" of him, yet he was never found.

After the shipwreck, he looked like this:

http://www.kendraburton.com/kendra%20burton%20images/kendra%20burton%20art%20jesus%20smiles%205x7-60.jpg


Only without the robes. . . :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

He went missing on a ship wreck in the pacific near Baja California. Then numerous people said they saw or talked to him down there. His family was said to be within "5 minutes" of him, yet he was never found.

After the shipwreck, he looked like this:

http://www.kendraburton.com/kendra%20burton%20images/kendra%20burton%20art%20jesus%20smiles%205x7-60.jpg


Only without the robes. . . :lol:

BWAHH!!!!!! :rofl:

His family was said to be within "5 minutes" of him, yet he was never found.

http://www.kendraburton.com/kendra%20burton%20images/kendra%20burton%20art%20jesus%20smiles%205x7-60.jpg




Of course they couldn't see him...THAT'S WHEN GORDY WAS CARRYING THEM!!


http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Footprints-Print-C10079629.jpeg

You guys crack me up!!!!

Of course they couldn't see him...THAT'S WHEN GORDY WAS CARRYING THEM!!

LMAO! :lol:

LMAO! :lol:


Thanks! Now I remember who he is. And yes he did look like Jesus! lol

Do you find it odd that his family didn't even have a picture of him so they had to have an aritst draw him?

Do you find it odd that his family didn't even have a picture of him so they had to have an aritst draw him?

They did have an actual picture of him (which they showed in the story on UM).

The artist drawing was of him with long hair and a beard as people had described seeing him. The problem was he was smiling and peaceful in the original picture and the artist didn't change that part, hence why he ended up looking like Jesus.

They did have an actual picture of him (which they showed in the story on UM).

The artist drawing was of him with long hair and a beard as people had described seeing him. The problem was he was smiling and peaceful in the original picture and the artist didn't change that part, hence why he ended up looking like Jesus.
gotcha

They did have an actual picture of him (which they showed in the story on UM).

The problem was he was smiling and peaceful in the original picture and the artist didn't change that part, hence why he ended up looking like Jesus.

Plus the pictures the Collins family gave the artist contributed a little. One was of Gordy at his Uncle Benny's 3rd wedding turning water into wine, another was from a collegiate swim meet Gordy won by simply running on top of the water, and the last just had him hanging out with a bunch of lepers.

I think the artist just ran with it based on the photographs.

Plus the pictures the Collins family gave the artist contributed a little. One was of Gordy at his Uncle Benny's 3rd wedding turning water into wine, another was from a collegiate swim meet Gordy won by simply running on top of the water, and the last just had him hanging out with a bunch of lepers.

I think the artist just ran with it based on the photographs.

STOP!

It's going to take all afternoon to get the Diet Coke off of my monitor that just sprayed out of my nose...

No mas!

:lol:

Okay back to the actual segment. I'm curious if maybe Gordon was eventually found. I haven't been able to find him on any missing persons websites which makes me wonder if he could have been found. His family knows with almost certainty that he did survive the shipwreck so wouldn't they most definitely want his picture out there in hopes of someone seeing it that knows him and being reunited with him. Another possible theory is that he has made it clear that he is happy where he is and doesn't want to come back to the states although the fact that he has a son here would make that a little hard to believe. Any thoughts on that?

I always wondered if the story wasnt just made up and played out by U/M. He is not mentioned on any missing persons website and in fact the only place you can even read about him is on here. Im with you, I think the family would still be searching and I would think he would be part of some missing persons site.

I always wondered if the story wasnt just made up and played out by U/M. He is not mentioned on any missing persons website and in fact the only place you can even read about him is on here. Im with you, I think the family would still be searching and I would think he would be part of some missing persons site.

Well I don't doubt it took place but since he is an adult maybe they just figure he wants to be where he is. It does seem strange that he isn't listed anywhere though. If it were my son, regardless of his age, I would want his name and picture everywhere I could. Won't that be a nice surprise if they end up updating that one on the new UM and we can finally find out what happened.

Okay back to the actual segment. I'm curious if maybe Gordon was eventually found. I haven't been able to find him on any missing persons websites which makes me wonder if he could have been found. His family knows with almost certainty that he did survive the shipwreck so wouldn't they most definitely want his picture out there in hopes of someone seeing it that knows him and being reunited with him. Another possible theory is that he has made it clear that he is happy where he is and doesn't want to come back to the states although the fact that he has a son here would make that a little hard to believe. Any thoughts on that?

I agree... There is something very wrong with this case. It struck me all along a lot more like he "wanted" to be gone rather than he had amnesia.

For as close as they allegedly got to him, to come away with nothing is pretty weird. And then to see there is nothing about him anywhere anymore??? I'm sure if he was found dead or alive we would have heard or seen something.

Maybe the family found out he had reason to disappear and just cut the search to save face. For as many sightings as there were, I just don't buy that they could never run into him. I think there is a piece of this story we don't know and probably never will. This is certainly not your typical family member goes missing story.

I agree... There is something very wrong with this case. It struck me all along a lot more like he "wanted" to be gone rather than he had amnesia.

For as close as they allegedly got to him, to come away with nothing is pretty weird. And then to see there is nothing about him anywhere anymore??? I'm sure if he was found dead or alive we would have heard or seen something.

Maybe the family found out he had reason to disappear and just cut the search to save face. For as many sightings as there were, I just don't buy that they could never run into him. I think there is a piece of this story we don't know and probably never will. This is certainly not your typical family member goes missing story.

I completely agree. It sort of reminds me of the case of the two Canadian boys who were abducted together on their way to school. It's very strange that the other boy isn't listed as "still missing" and there is very little information on him vs. the one whose mother appeared on Unsolved Mysteries blaming it on the father (I've posted about this before, but I just can't remember the names this late at night! :P).

It sort of reminds me of the case of the two Canadian boys who were abducted together on their way to school. It's very strange that the other boy isn't listed as "still missing" and there is very little information on him vs. the one whose mother appeared on Unsolved Mysteries blaming it on the father (I've posted about this before, but I just can't remember the names this late at night! :P).

You brought up an interesting point idyla that I've never thought about before. What are the chances that Clifford ran away willingly to go live with his father? Not sure if the time he disappeared was after the girls had been taken away from Clifford but I think its possible it happened that way. What still doesn't make any sense is George Gumbley (the friend). I just don't understand why there wasn't much attention garnered about him being missing. Maybe his family thought there was a chance he ran away as well. I guess its possible that if Clifford was living with his father that George was there as well as it didn't seem the rest of the family had much if any contact with Tex Sherwood during that time.

Back to the Gordon Collins case. It doesn't seem like he had total amnesia so maybe it is possible he stayed in Mexico willingly. I remember the translator said that he introduced himself as "Gordy" so I'm curious how much amnesia he actually had. I can't help but remember the case of Craig Williamson. If he did indeed have amnesia after he was located by his wife and family he didn't seem to have any interest in returning home and wanted to stay where he was from everything I know about the case. Maybe Gordon felt the same way.

I could see him just wanting to get away and start a new life as we know people do this from time to time. However we must take into account the boating accident. Did he come to the conclusion that he wanted a new life after the accident and just decided to keep his family in suspense as to whether he was alive or not? If he truly was wondering around in a daze suffering from amnesia I don't imagine it would have been too hard to find him. Would the authorities not want to talk to him about what happened to the other missing people from the accident? Wouldn't you think that the families of the other victims would want him to answer as to what caused the accident.

We know Gordon had a young son so if he had a life insurance policy would the insurance company not be very interested as to whether he was alive or not? His son would also be entitled to Gordon's social security if indeed he was declared dead. Im sure the federal government is not going to pay out social security death benefits on someone that is being seen all over the place in Mexico. There is just alot of unanswered questions in this one and hopefully when u/m re-airs they will update it.

I just saw the Spike TV version of this case a few minutes ago and I am afraid that there is no update. I really thought that there would be one but I guess that Gordon is still listed as missing. :(

OMG I thought the same thing when I first saw this years ago -- he looks like Jesus!!!

BTW, this story was shown on Lifetime today, no updates.



Anyone else freaked out that they based his composite sketch on a picture of Jesus?

First, hello all, I'm new here.

I definitely agree with the 'more to the story' theory. It seems like the family did end up making contact with him and didn't like what he told them. Then, to save face and spare any potential embarassment, they have quietly ended their search. If that were the case, I can't say I'd blame them.

First, hello all, I'm new here.

welcome :wave:

Back to the Gordon Collins case. It doesn't seem like he had total amnesia so maybe it is possible he stayed in Mexico willingly. I remember the translator said that he introduced himself as "Gordy" so I'm curious how much amnesia he actually had. I can't help but remember the case of Craig Williamson. If he did indeed have amnesia after he was located by his wife and family he didn't seem to have any interest in returning home and wanted to stay where he was from everything I know about the case. Maybe Gordon felt the same way.

As presented, I agree with the opinions that we're not being told everything. All these sightings are claimed, yet he's no-where to be found (despite being "five minutes" away?) I'm curious if there have been any more reported sightings. It's not like Gordon would blend in easily, given his appearance and apparent inability to speak spanish.

The family claims he has amnesia, yet he still knows his name; but if we presume he ran away willingly, was his life back in the states so bad that a life aimlessly wandering through dusty villages was any better?

Since the investigating "authorities" would be the Mexican police, that might explain the failure to find much online. It is a little odd though that neither Collins' family or that of Arlean Burlington would have put up anything...

I did manage to find a couple things online: there were a couple articles in the LA Times right after the accident:

http://articles.latimes.com/1991-04-26/news/mn-756_1_baja-california-sur

http://articles.latimes.com/1991-04-26/local/me-504_1_san-marcos

He went missing on a ship wreck in the pacific near Baja California. Then numerous people said they saw or talked to him down there. His family was said to be within "5 minutes" of him, yet he was never found.

After the shipwreck, he looked like this:

http://www.kendraburton.com/kendra%20burton%20images/kendra%20burton%20art%20jesus%20smiles%205x7-60.jpg


Only without the robes. . . :lol:


:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:


I was laughing out loud when I saw this.

I recently came across this case (on a site with videos, ahem) and was saddened when there was no update. I'm not sure who to believe, I think it's very likely that if he was alive after the accident, then he walked away willingly. I have a feeling this case will never be solved. It's very possible Gordon died that day too and disappeared into the water.

The family didn't live far from me, I wonder if they're still in the area.

Very little info on this case anywhere and that suprises me. When I first saw it I figured it was just wishfull thinking on the part of the family. However I didnt realize that there where so many credible sightings of Gordon that the FBI changed his status to missing rather then deceased.

I just watched this case today and like everyone previously have wondered if there has been an update.

I find it interesting he is not listed missing on any other site. It may be that he was either found and returned or stayed behind. I wish we had the answer to this.

I just watched this case today and like everyone previously have wondered if there has been an update.

I find it interesting he is not listed missing on any other site. It may be that he was either found and returned or stayed behind. I wish we had the answer to this.
Well, I hate to say it but perhaps Gordon's father passed away and he has no close family members that are still looking for him actively.
My grandmothers, friends child was kidnapped and found murdered. I searched the case and can find nothing online about it. It happened around 1980. The killer(s) have never been found. The parents of the murdered child, are not looking for her murder. They moved out of the area shortly after she was found, and shut down police requests to open up the file. :(

I got curious and found that Gordon Collins was declared deceased as of April 1991, which was the time of the accident, so perhaps that's why he doesn't show up on any missing persons websites.

I found the following article from 1992 -- interestingly, it mentions that Arlean Burlington, the other person who wasn't found, was also supposedly seen WITH Gordon. I don't see any indicators that she has been declared deceased, but she may not be a US citizen and my powers only go so far!


The San Diego Union-Tribune

June 17, 1992 Wednesday

Son missing 14 months, couple offer $5,000 reward

BYLINE: FERNANDO ROMERO, Staff Writer

SECTION: NEWS ; Pg. A-3

LENGTH: 679 words


A Riverside couple are offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who can help them find their 35-year-old son.

The couple believe their son suffers from amnesia and has been wandering about the Baja California peninsula for the past 14 months after surviving a boating accident in the Sea of Cortez. The accident, which occurred in April 1991, took the life of at least two of the four passengers on the boat. The couple, John and Mary Lou Collins of Moreno Valley, say their son, Gordon Joe "Gordy" Collins, and another passenger, a San Marcos woman who was their son's friend, survived the accident.

They have spent more than $100,000 searching for them, according to Bill Garcia, a private investigator hired by the couple. The bodies of Gordy Collins and the woman, Arlean Burlington, 28, a Japanese-American, were never recovered (the bodies of the other two passengers were recovered the day after the accident). Garcia said a man and a woman fitting the description of Gordy Collins (6-foot-4, blond hair, blue eyes, bearded and very slim) and Burlington (a 5-feet-tall woman with Asian features) were seen together, panhandling in Cabo San Lucas, La Paz and other towns in Baja California Sur. The man also has been sighted alone hundreds of times in towns along the Baja California peninsula, wandering, hungry and homeless.

Among those who have seen the man or the couple have been the Baja California Sur attorney general and police officials, said Garcia. The latest sighting of the man occurred two days ago in a San Ysidro supermarket, said Mary Lou Collins. She said her son may be suffering from amnesia, caused perhaps by an injury suffered during the accident.

She said Burlington also may be suffering from amnesia. She said she has talked to Burlington's family members, who have accepted the official conclusion that their daughter died.

The family could not be reached for comment. The accident occurred April 23, 1991, near San Marcos Island, which is three miles off the Baja coast.

According to published reports and Garcia, the boat, owned by Wayne Shwartz, a friend of Gordy Collins, departed on an overnight fishing expedition from the village of Punta Chivato. Anastasia Seals, Gordy Collins' girlfriend, also was on board, said Garcia. The details of the accident are sketchy.

Reports said a sudden storm with heavy winds and 12-foot waves capsized the boat. The bodies of Shwartz and Seals were recovered by rescuers, but an intensive search by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Mexican navy that lasted at least 10 days and covered 250 square miles turned up no trace of the missing pair. The boat carried seven life jackets, but only five were recovered, three of them tied to Seals' wrists, he said, adding that it is possible that Gordy Collins and Burlington, known as excellent swimmers, may have been picked up by a fishing boat and dropped off along one of the coastal towns near Punta Chivato. He said there has been little cooperation from U.S. consular officials in Baja California, at least one of whom, he said, "wants to write Gordy Collins off" prematurely by asking John and Mary Lou Collins to send documentation needed by Mexican authorities to issue a death certificate. The couple have refused. Speaking by phone from her home yesterday, Mary Lou Collins said she and her husband were "very disappointed" with the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana, which handles American affairs in the Baja California peninsula. In contrast, she said, the people and authorities of Baja California have been very helpful, she said. Peter Sampson, spokesman for the U.S. Consulate, said the Collinses' theory about their son's fate "sounds improbable to me." He said that the consulate's agent in Mulege, a town near Punta Chivato, participated in the initial search, but that it was not the role of the consulate to "send people" in an extended search of missing Americans. Mary Lou Collins, 58, said the couple's religious faith has helped them survive this difficult time. She asks anyone with information on Gordy Collins to call (714) 242-1292 or (714) 681-8868.

Yeah! There were a lot of facts left out of the case online, and I have read several times about a possible affair, the two of them running away together. One of many cases that I wish I could read he file (s) on...

I could see one, but not both alleged survivors having amnesia. If the sightings of Gordon and Arlean are credible, then either they both would have to have amnesia, or one or both wanted to disappear. Which would seem odd since they just had an near death accident. I think all four of them died in the crash and Gordon and Arlean's bodies are yet to be found.

I got curious and found that Gordon Collins was declared deceased as of April 1991, which was the time of the accident, so perhaps that's why he doesn't show up on any missing persons websites.

Well, there are a lot of people who have been declared legally deceased who are still listed on missing persons websites, so that doesn't really explain the lack of info about Gordon Collins out there. But kudos for being able to find SOMETHING as this is definitely one of the most difficult missing persons segments to research and that info about Arlean Burlington certainly adds an interesting new angle.

Was just thinking about this case today. I wonder if the unidentified man in Mexico whom the family believed was Gordon was located and turned out to be a ringer. That could partially explain his being declared dead (though there are likely other reasons such as dispersing of his estate amongst surviving family, including his son). It could also explain the lack of information online.

All this being said, I wonder when Gordon was legally declared dead. The UM segment hails from Sepetmber 1993 I believe, so the family must have still thought he was alive, at least at that time.

One thing I've always been curious about: how far off of the coast were Gordon and his friends when the boat sank? The UM segment mentions a hotel employee finding 2 bodies the day after they went missing, which would seem to indicate that they weren't that far off from the shore. Which would up the possibility of Gordon surviving.

Anyone else find it odd that the parents said that when the questioned the locals about Gordon "everybody just clammed up"?

The San Diego Union-Tribune

June 17, 1992 Wednesday

Son missing 14 months, couple offer $5,000 reward

BYLINE: FERNANDO ROMERO, Staff Writer


The family could not be reached for comment. The accident occurred April 23, 1991, near San Marcos Island, which is three miles off the Baja coast.




Respectfully snipped and bolded by me, TheCars1986, there is your answer. It was buried in the article tygre posted.

I recently watched this case for the first time. I'm just not sure Gordon or his wife EVER resurfaced. This goes back to the whole "eyewitness statements". It just seems much more plausible that they died along with their friends that fateful day and their bodies were either eaten by the aqua life or never found.

I recently watched this case for the first time. I'm just not sure Gordon or his wife EVER resurfaced. This goes back to the whole "eyewitness statements". It just seems much more plausible that they died along with their friends that fateful day and their bodies were either eaten by the aqua life or never found.
If I recall correctly the two bodies were found with life jackets on. I cannot remember if the boat itself was ever found or if the other two life jackets where recovered . Any one know ?

If I recall correctly the two bodies were found with life jackets on. I cannot remember if the boat itself was ever found or if the other two life jackets where recovered . Any one know ?

According to the UM segment and other articles, 2 life rafts were never recovered. Gordon's father was quoted as saying, "The bodies and all the paraphernalia out of the boat was all within one square mile of each other, ‘cause I talked to the fellow that fished the bodies out and so we say, ‘Hey, where’s the other two jackets? Where’s the other two people?'"

And I haven't seen the segment (Stack hosted anyway) in a long time, but over on Unsolved.com they have a blurb at the end of the article about Gordon (which is usually verbatim from the segments) and it says: "Over the next year, sporadic sightings of Gordon continued. The U.S. Consulate has officially reversed its position and no longer presumes that Gordon Collins is dead."

Was this after the Stack segment aired or was it included in the segment? And do they still feel that way today? I can't find Gordon on any missing persons databases.

According to the UM segment and other articles, 2 life rafts were never recovered. Gordon's father was quoted as saying, "The bodies and all the paraphernalia out of the boat was all within one square mile of each other, ‘cause I talked to the fellow that fished the bodies out and so we say, ‘Hey, where’s the other two jackets? Where’s the other two people?'"

And I haven't seen the segment (Stack hosted anyway) in a long time, but over on Unsolved.com they have a blurb at the end of the article about Gordon (which is usually verbatim from the segments) and it says: "Over the next year, sporadic sightings of Gordon continued. The U.S. Consulate has officially reversed its position and no longer presumes that Gordon Collins is dead."

Was this after the Stack segment aired or was it included in the segment? And do they still feel that way today? I can't find Gordon on any missing persons databases.
I watched the stack episode maybe a month ago an they do say at the end that he was no longer considered dead

I watched the stack episode maybe a month ago an they do say at the end that he was no longer considered dead

The UM information is old then, because Gordon was eventually declared dead by his family.

The UM information is old then, because Gordon was eventually declared dead by his family.
So his family eventually gave up the search and had him declared dead then

Sadly Mary Lou Collins died in 1999, never knowing what happened to Gordon. Apparently his Dad John is still alive as of December 2015 but I'm not sure if he still is actively looking for Gordon considering the dad would be over 80 now.

They just re-aired this segment the other day. I am always torn about these cases because after watching a number of these kinds of cases and the eyewitness testimonies I always now err on the side that the eyewitnesses with most likely good intentions rarely have seen the person that is missing. Instead I think they see similarities and later their memories are triggered by certain things and they piece in the rest of the information. I am not trying to discount all types of eyewitness testimonies it just seems like watching a number of these shows dealing with missing people we end up with more hope but yet no one is any closer to actually finding the missing person. I cant imagine the father ever gave up searching but yes his age probably has greatly impacted his abilities to continue the search.

https://m.facebook.com/cdllife/photos/a.183056505050636.39147.129643173725303/1207303675959242/?type=3&refid=52&__tn__=E

Him?

Kinda bummed to see that the pictures of Jesus that were once attached to this thread are now dead links.

Kinda bummed to see that the pictures of Jesus that were once attached to this thread are now dead links.

http://unsolved.com/sites/default/files2/mis_gordon_collins1.jpg

http://unsolved.com/sites/default/files2/mis_gordon_collins1.jpg

Looks like Barry Gibb.

https://m.facebook.com/cdllife/photos/a.183056505050636.39147.129643173725303/1207303675959242/?type=3&refid=52&__tn__=E

Him?

Gordon would be close to 60 now and that guy looks much younger.

I can't fathom how Gordon could've survived all of these years and not been identified. Arlean Burlington's body was never found. Does anyone think she survived as well? Just seems too far fetched to believe.

http://unsolved.com/sites/default/files2/mis_gordon_collins1.jpg

When I first saw the composite sketch his eyes were closed, now looking at the sketch his eyes are open! (ode to Ambridge, PA segment.)

:lol: :lol: :lol: When I first saw the composite sketch his eyes were closed, now looking at the sketch his eyes are open! (ode to Ambridge, PA segment.)

when I went back to look at all of the older posts indeed all of the photos are gone that is really unfortunate. That being said the composite sketch is not helpful in the least.

Hi folks!

I actually run the rarely updated Gordon Collins Facebook page. I am not a family member, just someone who was moved by his story. I don't have a whole lot to add other than his dad is alive and well and will look for Gordy until the day he dies.

He is a very sweet man and I really hoped that I could somehow help reunite him with Gordy if he is still alive. I have gotten many different "leads" through the FB page and pass all of them on to John. He then discusses any pictures and possible sightings with Gordy's sister and they make a determination on whether it could be him or not. So far nothing has panned out.

One of my first questions for John was why I didn't see Gordy on any databases anywhere. I had actually tried to add Gordy to the NAMUS database and my request was denied. Apparently this is because he was declared legally dead.

If I get any more updates, I will share them here. If you are on FB, please like the page and you can see some of the different leads people have come up with. As I said I don't update much as there is not much to update, but it's a start anyways.

Hi folks!

I actually run the rarely updated Gordon Collins Facebook page. I am not a family member, just someone who was moved by his story. I don't have a whole lot to add other than his dad is alive and well and will look for Gordy until the day he dies.

He is a very sweet man and I really hoped that I could somehow help reunite him with Gordy if he is still alive. I have gotten many different "leads" through the FB page and pass all of them on to John. He then discusses any pictures and possible sightings with Gordy's sister and they make a determination on whether it could be him or not. So far nothing has panned out.

One of my first questions for John was why I didn't see Gordy on any databases anywhere. I had actually tried to add Gordy to the NAMUS database and my request was denied. Apparently this is because he was declared legally dead.

If I get any more updates, I will share them here. If you are on FB, please like the page and you can see some of the different leads people have come up with. As I said I don't update much as there is not much to update, but it's a start anyways.

This is one of the few cases where I 100% believe the sightings of him were true. I think he was injured in the boat crash (perhaps a traumatic brain injury) and he was just wandering without really being aware of who he was or where he was going. But there seems to be enough sightings and enough detail to make them credible.

I'm not on Facebook so forgive me if this was answered already. When was the last credible sighting of Gordon in Mexico? How many months/years after the accident?

This is one of the few cases where I 100% believe the sightings of him were true. I think he was injured in the boat crash (perhaps a traumatic brain injury) and he was just wandering without really being aware of who he was or where he was going. But there seems to be enough sightings and enough detail to make them credible.

I'm not on Facebook so forgive me if this was answered already. When was the last credible sighting of Gordon in Mexico? How many months/years after the accident?

I also believe that he definitely survived the crash and the sightings were true. That is why I started the FB page as I couldn't find information about him anywhere. The last credible sightings (by credible I mean sightings where Gordy's family believed it was him) were a few years back now. I get tips or sightings that come in and people want to believe that every homeless American man living in Mexico is Gordy. Unfortunately nothing has panned out as of yet.

I still have hope that he is out there and just doesn't remember or know who he is. I would love to be able to help give his family some closure at some point.

I also believe that he definitely survived the crash and the sightings were true. That is why I started the FB page as I couldn't find information about him anywhere. The last credible sightings (by credible I mean sightings where Gordy's family believed it was him) were a few years back now. I get tips or sightings that come in and people want to believe that every homeless American man living in Mexico is Gordy. Unfortunately nothing has panned out as of yet.

I still have hope that he is out there and just doesn't remember or know who he is. I would love to be able to help give his family some closure at some point.

If his family still believes he's alive, who had him legally declared dead?

If his family still believes he's alive, who had him legally declared dead?

I've wondered about this but haven't asked his dad straight out. Gordy has a son so maybe it has something to do with any insurance that may have only been payable upon death.

I always figured Occam's Razor applied so easily in this case. He died during the accident and his body was, for whatever reason, never recovered.

The sightings after the fact could have been someone who looked like Gordon, people wanting to be "helpful" due to the possibility of financial gain, or people just seeing what they wanted to see.

I always figured Occam's Razor applied so easily in this case. He died during the accident and his body was, for whatever reason, never recovered.

The sightings after the fact could have been someone who looked like Gordon, people wanting to be "helpful" due to the possibility of financial gain, or people just seeing what they wanted to see.

That's definitely crossed my mind many times. I haven't specifically talked about that with his family, but I have to believe that it has crossed their minds as well.

I always scratch my head when people talk about disbelief of amnesia cases. Yes, I understand they are rare, but partial amnesia does happen frequently after a traumatic incident. So many people in major car wrecks forget the actual accident, this even without a head injury.

But I have to wonder if Gordon possibly hit his head and has some minor brain damage after the accident. This could explain why he has some memory of who he is (his first name for instance) but not enough memory to know exactly who he is. Possible brain trauma could also explain why he simply doesn’t seek help. He may not be physically aware that there is anything wrong with him.

Anyway, just a thought. I honestly don’t know if he is alive or not, but if the FBI changed his status from deceased to missing, the sightings of him have to be credible. I wouldn’t read too much into his family having him declared dead and still looking for him. There are multiple reasons that it might be beneficial in the short term to declare him dead.

I always scratch my head when people talk about disbelief of amnesia cases. Yes, I understand they are rare, but partial amnesia does happen frequently after a traumatic incident.


Partial amnesia is very common after head trauma, global amnesia, particular global amnesia that lasts for any serious length of time is incredibly rare (outside of daytime soap operas, that is :))

Partial amnesia is very common after head trauma, global amnesia, particular global amnesia that lasts for any serious length of time is incredibly rare (outside of daytime soap operas, that is :))

Right, that’s my point in this case though. It’s possible that the guy remembers bits and pieces, but possibly due to brain trauma/damage he does not recall everything and is not even seeking help because of it.

There have been several cases presented on the show over the years where a huge chunk of the person’s life is forgotten after a trauma. I forget the names off the top of my head, but one of the Vietnam vets searching for the nurse that helped treat him did not remember anything prior to waking up in the hospital. There was another case where a mother had some type of injury (this one is really vague for me) and she had forgotten everything from when she was a teenager on up. She thought and acted like she was a teenager again.

Anyway, I’m just saying that Gordon could have received some serious head trauma in the accident and just is not capable of even knowing that anything is wrong. He may remember bits and pieces, but just doesn’t know to ask for help.

Right, that’s my point in this case though. It’s possible that the guy remembers bits and pieces, but possibly due to brain trauma/damage he does not recall everything and is not even seeking help because of it.

Bingo -- I think this is a very likely scenario. I don't think he had true amnesia, but likely a traumatic brain injury. Memory can be affected as well as cognitive and motor function, which might explain why Gordon appeared to be kind of spacey to some people. I know people who have been through accidents with head trauma who still don't remember what happened at the time of the accident and for some hours or days later.

Depending on the degree of injury, it is very likely Gordon wasn't really sure who he was or where he was going. If he just had amnesia, you would think he would ask for help. This sounds more like he was in a fog and just wandering, which could easily be caused by a TBI.

I always figured Occam's Razor applied so easily in this case. He died during the accident and his body was, for whatever reason, never recovered.

The sightings after the fact could have been someone who looked like Gordon, people wanting to be "helpful" due to the possibility of financial gain, or people just seeing what they wanted to see.

Just watched this and yeah I'd be shocked if he survived the accident. This strikes me as the usual family refuse to believe their kid has died and unreliable eyewitness statements tropes that UM featured a bit too much.

Re: this Gordon Collins case, I'm torn as to whether he died when his boat capsized - or survived, and was wandering around Mexico with a head injury/amnesia. Either situation could have happened.

The alleged homeless American wandering around Mexico could have been Gordon, or someone else. Since he was never tracked down by the family, it's impossible to corroborate this either way.

I don't think there were any survivors from the boat accident. It's a shame that two bodies were never recovered.

I don't think there were any survivors from the boat accident. It's a shame that two bodies were never recovered.

I just re-watched this GC segment, and unfortunately have to agree with this. The fact that the bodies of GC's gf & his friend were found makes it extremely likely that GC & the friend's wife also drowned at the same time - given that they were all on the same small boat. It appears that GC & the friend's wife were probably swept further out to sea, etc. - so that's why the bodies were never recovered with the boat.

The idea that GC alone miraculously survived the boat mishap & somehow made it ashore is unlikely. I think even if he survived the boat capsizing (possibly due to the storm, that the group was warned about?!), I don't know how he would have made it to shore without drowning.

I believe the disheveled, homeless American?! "mysterious stranger" that was spotted in various areas in Mexico after GC disappeared was probably just a guy who was down on his luck, and was drifting from one town to another (which is why GC's parents were never able to find him). It seemed like he resembled Gordon to some extent, but I doubt he was GC. Maybe he stood out more due to being American. But, I believe that the resemblance was just a coincidence.

Hate to bump an old thread, but I was randomly thinking about this case today and how often UM would be extremely vague when it came to geography in certain cases. If you look at this (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Playa+%22Los+arquitos%22+Recently+viewed/22920+Vicente+Guerrero,+Baja+California,+Mexico/@29.449651,-112.4456891,1274405m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x86caed34e8d97d9b:0x78d3722b78897fa3!2m2!1d-112.0970554!2d27.2506982!1m5!1m1!1s0x81263e4db80f97fd:0x3f991061175fee3d!2m2!1d-115.9894616!2d30.7286487!3e0?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTAxMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) map, the top marker is the location of the village where sightings of Gordon were alleged to have happened. The Playa Los Arquitos marker is the approximate spot of where the boat and two of the bodies were found. The UM segment says that several sightings had taken place in the months since the boat accident in La Paz and Cabo San Lucas...both of which are at the southern end of the Baja Penninsula. None of these locations are remotely close and it makes much more sense for these sightings to be of American men who kind of resembled Gordon. Because a guy who has amnesia with no money or means would have a hard time getting around to all of these places in a matter of months.