Six Unsolved Mysteries: The Most Pressing Missing Persons Cases In Jacksonville, Florida (2025 Update)

The search for missing persons in Jacksonville, Florida, remains a critical and heartbreaking challenge for law enforcement and families across the First Coast. As of late 2025, the greater Jacksonville area, which spans multiple counties in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia, has over fifty open missing and unidentified persons cases, a stark reminder of the enduring pain of the unknown. Florida itself ranks third in the nation for open missing person cases, underscoring the severity of the crisis in the state.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) and organizations like First Coast Crime Stoppers continue to push for new leads, often highlighting long-term cold cases to reignite public interest. The stories of these individuals—mothers, fathers, young adults, and teenagers—represent a community grappling with unanswered questions. These are the most prominent and recently highlighted unsolved missing persons cases in Jacksonville that urgently require public attention and new information in 2025.

Profiles of the Missing: Six Unsolved Jacksonville Cases

The following individuals represent a fraction of the open cases, but their stories have recently been featured in local news as part of efforts to generate fresh tips. Each profile includes the last known details, which could be the key to a resolution.

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1. Frank Brown

• Last Contact: June 3, 2015
• Age at Disappearance: 52
• Date of Birth: April 28, 1963 (Age 62 in 2025)
• Race/Sex: Black Male
• Circumstances: Frank Brown was last seen in June 2015 after being released from Baptist Hospital in downtown Jacksonville, where he had been admitted following a seizure. He called his brother shortly after his release, indicating he needed to return to the hospital, but he has not been seen or heard from since. His disappearance is classified as endangered missing.

2. Austin Patchke

• Last Contact: November 16, 2022
• Age at Disappearance: 22
• Date of Birth: November 29, 1999 (Age 25 in 2025)
• Race/Sex: White Male
• Circumstances: Austin Patchke was last seen near the 14000 block of Old St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has actively continued its search for him, and his case was added to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) database in 2023, indicating an ongoing investigation. He is described as being 6'08" tall and weighing 275 pounds.

3. Janay Wiley

• Last Contact: June 29, 2020
• Age at Disappearance: 31
• Date of Birth: June 25, 1989 (Age 36 in 2025)
• Race/Sex: White Female
• Circumstances: Janay Wiley vanished from Jacksonville after celebrating her sister's birthday in June 2020. Her family reported her missing in early August when they realized she had not been in contact. Her disappearance has been featured as part of the "UNSOLVED" series by First Coast News, highlighting the family's relentless search for answers years later.

The Enduring Cold Cases: Years of Waiting for Answers

While recent disappearances capture immediate headlines, the long-term cold cases in Duval County continue to weigh heavily on the community. These cases, some dating back a decade or more, demonstrate the commitment of investigators and family members who refuse to let the trail go cold.

4. Valerie Santisteban

• Last Contact: September 2020
• Age at Disappearance: 36
• Race/Sex: Female (Details on race not consistently specified, often listed as Hispanic/White)
• Circumstances: Valerie, a mother of four, was last seen in September 2020 in the area of the Life Storage facility on Deerwood Park Blvd. At the time of her disappearance, she and her husband were experiencing homelessness and were utilizing the storage unit for their belongings. Her vanishing was a complete shock to her family, who describe her as a mother who would not willingly abandon her children.

5. Ricky Caldwell

• Last Contact: August 31, 2013
• Age at Disappearance: 27
• Date of Birth: January 24, 1986 (Age 39 in 2025)
• Race/Sex: Black Male
• Circumstances: Ricky Lamar Caldwell was last seen in the 3500 block of Broadway Avenue in Jacksonville. The JSO has confirmed he was last seen on August 31, 2013, but the details of who he was with that night remain a key point of the unsolved investigation. His case is a prime example of a long-term mystery that continues to be featured in cold case segments, emphasizing that even a small detail from that night could break the case open.

6. Chriscinda Stephens

• Last Contact: June 1, 2017
• Age at Disappearance: 39
• Date of Birth: January 27, 1978 (Age 47 in 2025)
• Race/Sex: White Female
• Circumstances: Chriscinda Joy Stephens was last seen by a family friend on June 1, 2017, in the Jacksonville area. She was reported missing eight days later. At the time of her disappearance, she may have been driving a gold Ford Explorer with Georgia tags. Her case is categorized as Endangered Missing, and despite years of searching, no substantial leads have surfaced regarding her whereabouts.

The Community's Role in Finding the Missing

The sheer volume of missing persons cases in Jacksonville, Florida, highlights the critical role the public plays in providing tips and information. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) has proactive measures in place to handle these cases, but the closure often depends on a community member coming forward.

JSO's R.E.V.A.M.P. Initiative

The JSO utilizes a dedicated system known as the Registry for Endangered, Vulnerable and Missing Persons (R.E.V.A.M.P.). This registry is designed to quickly disseminate information about individuals who are considered endangered or vulnerable, such as those with medical conditions, cognitive impairments, or teenagers who are frequently reported missing (like the 39 teenage girls reported missing in Duval County in a recent year). R.E.V.A.M.P. helps law enforcement mobilize resources faster and alert the public when time is of the essence.

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The Importance of Unsolved Case Advocacy

Families of missing adults often feel their cases are forgotten, especially as time passes. This is why the recent focus by local news outlets on cold cases like Frank Brown and Ricky Caldwell is so vital. It brings renewed attention to the facts, encourages witnesses to overcome fear or hesitation, and keeps the NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System) and Charley Project databases updated with fresh details. Every time a case is highlighted, the chances of a resolution increase, offering a glimmer of hope to families who have been waiting for years.

How to Report a Tip Anonymously

If you have any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, regarding the disappearance of Frank Brown, Austin Patchke, Janay Wiley, Valerie Santisteban, Ricky Caldwell, Chriscinda Stephens, or any other missing person in the Jacksonville area, you are urged to contact the authorities immediately. You can provide information anonymously through:

• Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO): Call the JSO non-emergency number or the specific Missing Persons Unit.
• First Coast Crime Stoppers: This organization allows citizens in Northeast Florida to submit tips safely, securely, and anonymously, often with the possibility of a reward. Their commitment to anonymity is a crucial tool in solving cold and violent crimes.
• National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs): NamUs is a national information clearinghouse and resource center for missing persons and unidentified remains, providing another avenue for official reporting and cross-referencing of information.

The community's vigilance is the final, most powerful tool in bringing these missing individuals home and providing closure to their grieving families.

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