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Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP41009) and 8 other sources
In the autumn of 2017, a young man named William James Ellis, just 25 years old, found himself in a vulnerable state in Wyandotte, Michigan. On November 21st of that year, he was at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital seeking treatment for hypothermia. However, before he could be fully evaluated by medical staff, William walked out of the hospital on foot and vanished. At the time he was last seen, he was wearing only a grey t-shirt, blue linen hospital pants, a hospital gown, and hospital socks, along with a hospital identification bracelet. His father reported him missing to the Wyandotte Police Department the very next day, sparking a search that has now spanned several years. William is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes, standing between 5'9' and 5'10' and weighing between 100 and 120 pounds.

The items William may have had with him when he disappeared paint a picture of someone prepared for the outdoors, yet his departure from the hospital in minimal clothing suggests a sudden decision. It is believed he may have been in possession of a black down winter jacket, a yellow parka, blue jeans, hiking shoes, and a backpack. Those who know William describe him as a free-spirited individual who followed a vegan diet and often visited natural food stores. Before he went missing, he had spoken of a desire to travel to Hawaii, a detail that adds another layer to the mystery of his intentions on that cold November day. His disappearance left his family and community with many unanswered questions and a deep sense of concern for his well-being.

The investigation into William's disappearance has been ongoing, but few concrete leads have emerged over the years. A possible but unconfirmed sighting occurred in June 2019 in Sturgeon's Bay, Wisconsin. A man who resembled William was seen with a group of men who spoke of living off-grid in the woods. When approached, this individual reportedly claimed he 'had no name.' The man's appearance was described as very skinny, with long hair, a long beard, and missing teeth. This potential sighting, while intriguing, has not been verified. The overview of this case is one of profound worry; a young man in need of medical attention walked away from a place of care and has not been heard from since. The circumstances of his disappearance, coupled with the unconfirmed sighting, leave his loved ones to wonder if he is living a different life by choice, or if he met with harm, a question that remains unanswered.

Last Seen: Nov 21, 2017

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

82%Moderate
John Doe — Ecorse, Michigan - unidentified case UP85671
John Doe — Ecorse, Michigan
UP85671 • Found Aug 28, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 88%Est. 30–45 vs 25 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%2 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"–5'10"
Weight 64%150 lb vs 100–120 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP52898 • Found Oct 16, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 25
Race 100%White
Location 100%11 mi away, same county
TimingFound 11 months after last seen

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.