Above: McCartan, circa 2008
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: August 3, 2008 from Plaquemine Parish, Louisiana Classification: Lost/Injured Missing Date of Birth: July 18, 1974 Age: 34 years old Weight: 180 pounds Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Black hair, blue eyes. McCartan has a surgical scar from a hip replacement, surgical scars on his chest from cancer treatment and a scar on his elbow. He has previously broken his nose and he walks with a limp. One of McCartan's front teeth is capped. His nickname is Joe. Clothing/Jewelry Description: Possibly a white t-shirt, jeans, sneakers and a hat.
Details of Disappearance
McCartan resided in Plaquemine Parish, Louisiana at the time of his disappearance. He was last known to be on a shrimp boat, the Kelli Michelle, in Texas at 6:00 p.m. on August 3, 2008. He had been sick during the boat trip and the captain also became ill with chest pains, so the boat was taken ashore. A new captain boarded and took the boat out onto the Gulf of Mexico. At 9:00 p.m., the captain and deckhand realized McCartan has missing. He is presumed to have fallen overboard, but his body has never been found.
Investigating Agency
Source Information
Updated 2 times since October 12, 2004.
Last updated January 31, 2010; last name spelling corrected, distinguishing characteristics and details of disappearance updated.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office
504-564-3381
OR
United States Coast Guard
504-671-2035
Louisiana Repository for Unidentified and Missing People
The National Center for Missing Adults
The Laura Recovery Center Foundation
WKRG Alabama Texas
The Mobile Press-Register