Crime Solvers Central
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 (MP19722) and 4 other sources
In the quiet, rural landscape of Rocky Mount, Virginia, the story of Clarence Wayne Preston's disappearance began on April 29, 2000. At 43 years old, Clarence was a resident of Serenity House, a local halfway house. On that particular day, he was seen simply sitting on the front porch, a seemingly ordinary moment that would become the last known sighting of him. When he vanished, he left behind all of his personal belongings, including his clothing and necessary medication, suggesting his departure was not planned. His absence prompted an extensive search of the surrounding rural area, but the efforts yielded no clues as to his whereabouts or what might have happened to him.

Clarence Preston is described as a Black male with black hair and brown eyes, standing at approximately 5'10' and weighing between 130 and 165 pounds at the time he went missing. A significant concern in his case is that he suffered from schizophrenia and seizures, conditions that required medication which he did not have with him. This has led to his classification as an endangered missing person, as he is considered mentally impaired and potentially in need of immediate medical attention. The lack of any communication from him since the day he was last seen has only deepened the mystery and the concern for his well-being.

The passage of time has not brought any definitive answers in the case of Clarence Wayne Preston. Despite the initial search and ongoing efforts by law enforcement, including the Floyd County Sheriff's Office, the details surrounding his disappearance remain scarce. His case is a somber reminder of the many individuals who vanish without a trace, leaving behind families and communities to grapple with unanswered questions. The lack of evidence has made it difficult to determine the circumstances of his disappearance, and with no new leads, the investigation has faced significant challenges. The overview of the case is one of a vulnerable individual who disappeared under unclear circumstances, and whose medical needs made his situation particularly perilous.

Last Seen: Apr 29, 2000

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
John Doe — Virginia
UP99045 • Found Aug 16, 2022
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 98%19 mi away, same state
TimingFound 22 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3"–5'8" vs 5'7"
75%Possible
John Doe — Savannah, Georgia - unidentified case UP116639
John Doe — Savannah, Georgia
UP116639 • Found Jun 12, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 40%346 mi away
TimingFound 13 months after last seen
Height 100%5'8"–5'10" vs 5'7"
Weight 100%145–155 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 90%Black 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.