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Donna Ambrose Missing Person Case

Last seen in Cleveland, Ohio on Nov 1, 1989

Victim Details

Apr 30, 2017

Jan 4, 2024

Donna

Ambrose

70

34

68 inches

165 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Nov 1, 1989

Cleveland

Ohio

Cuyahoga County

34523

Cleveland Police Department

Cleveland

Ohio

Cuyahoga County

44111

Joe Markey

Detective

First District, Ohio

6232541

Local

Law Enforcement

1990-46362

Cleveland Police Department

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 11, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP38000) and 8 other sources
In the autumn of 1989, a 34-year-old woman named Donna J. Ambrose vanished from Cleveland, Ohio. She was last seen in the 3100 block of West 73rd Street on November 1, 1989. Following that day, those who knew her would not see or hear from her again. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance are clouded by a significant and unexplained delay in reporting her missing. For reasons that remain unclear, Donna Ambrose was not officially reported as a missing person until June 18, 1990, a full seven months after she was last seen. This substantial gap in time has undoubtedly complicated the investigation into what happened to her, leaving a void of information in the crucial early stages of the case.

At the time of her disappearance, Donna was described as a white female, standing 5'8' and weighing approximately 165 pounds. She had brown hair, which may have been dyed red, and there are conflicting reports about her eye color, with some sources stating they were brown and others blue. It is known that she wore corrective glasses and had pierced ears. Also known by the nickname Donna Fraley, she was a part of the Cleveland community before she went missing. The limited details available about her life and the events leading up to her disappearance have left a sparse trail for investigators to follow over the decades.

The investigation into Donna Ambrose's disappearance has been handled by the Cleveland Police Department. Despite the passage of many years, her case remains unsolved, and there is very little information available to the public regarding any potential leads or suspects. The lack of immediate action in the days and weeks after she was last seen created a challenging starting point for law enforcement. Over time, her case has become one of Ohio's many long-unanswered mysteries. The overview of this case is one of quiet disappearance and delayed response, leaving a family without answers and a community with the unsettling reality of a woman who seemingly vanished without a trace.
Last Seen: Nov 1, 1989

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Our Missing Hearts's post - Facebook">Our Missing Hearts's post - Facebook
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP38000 - Office of Justice Programs
  • Donna J. Ambrose - The Charley Project
  • Our Missing Hearts - Facebook
  • Missing Persons - City of Cleveland Ohio
  • Missing Person from Ohio on X:
  • Donna Ambrose | International Missing Persons Wiki | Fandom
  • OH - Donna J. Ambrose, 33, Cleveland, 01 November 1989

    • 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.

    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Newport, Michigan - unidentified case UP8501
    Jane Doe — Newport, Michigan
    UP8501 • Found Feb 23, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 32–52 vs 34 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 78%90 mi away
    TimingFound 2 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"
    Weight 90%140 lb vs 165 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP12001
    Jane Doe — Detroit, Michigan
    UP12001 • Found Nov 29, 1989
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 34
    Race 100%White
    Location 78%90 mi away
    TimingFound 4 weeks after last seen
    Height 100%5'7" vs 5'8"
    Hair 50%Blond vs Brown

    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.

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    Forum Posts (2)

    I’ve been following Donna J. Ambrose’s case for a while, and something that really stands out to me... ...Read More
    10/27/2024
    I recently came across the case of Donna J. Ambrose, and something particularly puzzling stuck with... ...Read More
    01/15/2023

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