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Ronald Janes Missing Person Case

Last seen in Louisville, Kentucky on Dec 27, 1989

Victim Details

Jun 24, 2013

Jan 12, 2024

Ronald

Janes

69

33

70 inches

160 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Dec 27, 1989

Louisville

Kentucky

Jefferson County

No

31321

Louisville Metro Police Department

Louisville

Kentucky

Jefferson County

40203

Bill Clark

Missing Person Detective

701 West Ormsby Avenue, Kentucky

5025747111

Local

Law Enforcement

http://www.louisville-police.org/

90-018-628

Louisville Metro Police Department

Black

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 9, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP20747) and 6 other sources
In the winter of 1989, a then 33-year-old man named Ronald L. Janes vanished from Louisville, Kentucky. He was last seen at his mother's home in the 300 block of West Florence Avenue on December 27th of that year. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as a white male, standing at 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds. He had black hair with some gray and hazel eyes. When he was last seen, he was wearing blue jeans and a gray jacket and was carrying a blue nylon wallet with gray trim. Several months would pass before his mother officially reported him as a missing person on May 29, 1990.

Ronald, who often went by the nickname Ronnie, had several distinguishing physical features that could have aided in his identification. These included a scar located over his right eye, another scar on his neck, and a third on his left arm. He also had two distinct tattoos: one of the initials 'RJ' on his right arm and another of a champagne glass on his left ankle. It was also noted that he sometimes used the alias names Lee James, Ronald James, and/or Randall Dale Willyard. Despite these details, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear, with very few details available in his case.

Since the day he was last seen by his mother, Ronald Janes has not been heard from again. The investigation into his disappearance is being handled by the Louisville Metro Police Department. Over the years, his case has been updated with additional details regarding his distinguishing characteristics and clothing, but his whereabouts remain unknown. The lack of information has made the investigation challenging, leaving his family without answers for decades. The case of Ronald Janes is a somber reminder of the many individuals who disappear without a trace, leaving behind a void of uncertainty and unanswered questions.
Last Seen: Dec 27, 1989

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Ronald L Janes | Louisville Metro PD, KY">Ronald L Janes | Louisville Metro PD, KY
  • Ronald L. Janes - The Charley Project
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP20747 | NamUs
  • Missing in the metro: Have you seen these people? - WLKY
  • Missing Persons | Louisville Metro PD, KY
  • KY - KY- Ronald L. Janes, 33, Louisville, 27 Dec 1989 | Websleuths

    • 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.

    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Jeffersonville, Indiana
    UP114481 • Found Apr 27, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%2 mi away
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
    Weight 93%138 lb vs 160 lb
    Hair 70%Gray vs Black
    81%Moderate
    John Doe — Floyds Knobs, Indiana
    UP1845 • Found Sep 3, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 32–45 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 100%8 mi away
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
    Hair 60%Brown vs Black
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Martinsville, Indiana - unidentified case UP14700
    John Doe — Martinsville, Indiana
    UP14700 • Found Sep 13, 1998
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–38 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 78%89 mi away
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 84%6'0" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%170 lb vs 160 lb
    76%Possible
    John Doe — across river from Cincinnati, Ohio, Kentucky - unidentified case UP84
    John Doe — across river from Cincinnati, Ohio, Kentucky
    UP84 • Found May 8, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 80%82 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 84%6'0" vs 5'10"
    Weight 89%185 lb vs 160 lb
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Indiana
    UP70456 • Found Oct 25, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 33 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 96%23 mi away
    TimingFound 6 years 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.

    Latest News

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    Forum Posts (2)

    Has anyone else been curious about Ronald Janes's hobbies and activities before he went missing? I... ...Read More
    03/16/2024
    Does anyone else find it odd that Ronald's car was never mentioned in any of the reports or... ...Read More
    12/25/2023

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