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Lonzell Graham Missing Person Case

Last seen in Detroit, Michigan on Sep 1, 1999

Victim Details

Jul 24, 2014

Jan 12, 2024

Lonzell

Graham

50

23

57 inches

61 inches

120 lbs

170 lbs

Black / African American

Male

Sep 1, 1999

Detroit

Michigan

Wayne County

48204

23382

Detroit Police Department

Detroit

Michigan

Wayne County

48226

Shannon Jones

Sergeant

1301 3rd St, Michigan

3135961800

Local

Law Enforcement

1407300201

Detroit Police Department

Black

Black

Black

Oct 5, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP25463) and 2 other sources
In the late summer of 1999, a 23-year-old man named Lonzell Donte Graham vanished from Detroit, Michigan. He was last seen on or around September 1, 1999, shortly after being released from jail. Lonzell, known to some as 'Zellie,' was a young Black man with a distinctive physical presence. He was described as having a dark complexion, curly black hair, and a slender build with long legs. A unique characteristic was that he was double-jointed, which allowed his legs to bend back farther than usual. This flexibility also enabled him to perform backflips without using his hands for an entire block.

Those who knew Lonzell described him as a kind-hearted individual, though it was felt that his gentle nature sometimes led to others taking advantage of him. He was not one for many words, often keeping to himself. Despite his quiet demeanor, he was known for being a very neat dresser. His eyes were noted as being wide and round with long eyelashes. At the time of his disappearance, he stood between 5 feet 7 inches and 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighed between 120 and 170 pounds. The exact details of what he was wearing or his state of mind at the time he went missing remain unclear.

The circumstances surrounding Lonzell's disappearance have remained shrouded in mystery for decades. His case is being handled by the Detroit Police Department. Over the years, efforts to locate him have included the collection of DNA from his sister to be entered into national databases. The lack of concrete leads or any significant breaks in the case has left his family with unanswered questions. The overview of his case highlights a young man who disappeared under vague circumstances, with personal accounts painting a picture of a quiet and physically agile individual who vanished from his life in Detroit.
Last Seen: Sep 1, 1999

Links to Additional Sources (2)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Michigan Lostnmissing - NamUs MP # 25463 #Missing Lonzell ...
  • MI - Lonzell Donte Graham, 23, Detroit, Sept 1999

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (5)

    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
    John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
    UP13155 • Found Sep 28, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 15–28 vs 23
    Race 100%Black
    Location 100%5 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 4 weeks after last seen
    Height 4%5'8" vs 4'9"–5'1"
    Weight 100%149 lb vs 120–170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 90%Brown vs Black
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP8243
    John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
    UP8243 • Found Aug 14, 2007
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 16–30 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 100%5 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 8 years after last seen
    Height 52%5'5" vs 4'9"–5'1"
    Weight 100%150 lb vs 120–170 lb
    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 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 100%5 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 4%5'8" vs 4'9"–5'1"
    Weight 100%152 lb vs 120–170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black
    Eyes 90%Brown vs Black
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Detroit, Michigan - unidentified case UP129330
    John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
    UP129330 • Found Sep 4, 2024
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 100%9 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 25 years after last seen
    Height 52%5'5" vs 4'9"–5'1"
    Weight 100%126 lb vs 120–170 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Black
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Detroit, Michigan
    UP11139 • Found Jun 13, 2012
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 23 when missing
    Race 100%Black
    Location 100%7 mi away, same county
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 36%5'6" vs 4'9"–5'1"
    Weight 100%169 lb vs 120–170 lb
    Hair 100%Black vs Black

    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)

    Does anyone else find it curious how there’s so little information about who Lonzell may have... ...Read More
    08/18/2023
    Hey everyone, I've been thinking about the case of Lonzell Donte Graham, and I'm particularly... ...Read More
    06/20/2023

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