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Crime Solvers Central
298 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 (MP33710) and 2 other sources
In the autumn of 1980, a then 27-year-old man named Jerel D. Simmons, also known as Gene, disappeared from Saginaw, Michigan. On October 10th of that year, Jerel, a Black / African American male, was last seen. He stood at 5'10' and weighed around 163 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. A scar on his left leg served as a distinguishing physical feature. On the day he vanished, he was reportedly wearing a blue shirt and pants. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear, but it has been noted that he was allegedly carrying a significant amount of cash at the time.

Decades have passed since Jerel Simmons was last seen or heard from, and his case has grown cold, leaving his family and community with unanswered questions. The initial investigation into his disappearance was handled by the Saginaw Police Department. Despite the passage of time, his case remains open. Information available through the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System indicates that his case was created on May 16, 2016, many years after he was last seen.

The sparse details available about Jerel's life and the events leading up to his disappearance have made it difficult for investigators to piece together a clear timeline. It has been reported that at the time he went missing, Jerel was wanted for parole violations. This detail adds a layer of complexity to his case, though its connection to his disappearance is unknown. The lack of significant leads over the years has left his case in a state of prolonged suspension, a painful reality for those still seeking answers. The overview of Jerel Simmons's case is one of an extended and unresolved absence, with very few clues to explain what might have happened to him after he was last seen in Saginaw, Michigan, over four decades ago.

Last Seen: Oct 10, 1980

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

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.

79%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP56119 • Found Aug 12, 1996
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 78%88 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 163 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP13142 • Found May 11, 1999
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 78%88 mi away, same state
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%154 lb vs 163 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
79%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP9884
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP9884 • Found Sep 10, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 20–35 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 78%88 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 42%220 lb vs 163 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — River Rouge, Michigan
UP83246 • Found Jul 26, 1989
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 78%90 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 97%144 lb vs 163 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP9909
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP9909 • Found Feb 12, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 24–39 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 78%88 mi away, same state
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 84%192 lb vs 163 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP11882
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP11882 • Found Jul 8, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 78%88 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
Weight 70%122 lb vs 163 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP8217 • Found Jun 17, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 78%88 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 51%215 lb vs 163 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Ecorse, Michigan
UP11880 • Found Jun 17, 1990
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–45 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 77%91 mi away, same state
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 59%210 lb vs 163 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Cleveland, Ohio
UP15806 • Found Jul 19, 1983
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 98%Est. 30–40 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 60%176 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%158 lb vs 163 lb
Hair 60%Brown vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP12232
John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
UP12232 • Found May 8, 2004
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 27 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 78%88 mi away, same state
TimingFound 24 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%152 lb vs 163 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown 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.

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