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 (MP21518) and 6 other sources
John Clifton Ballenger, a 20-year-old man from Satellite Beach, Florida, was last seen on June 26, 1977, his birthday. That evening, Ballenger was on a double date at a local theater to watch *Star Wars*. During the movie, he excused himself to use the restroom but never returned. He has not been seen or heard from since. At the time, Ballenger was carrying approximately $15 in cash and was wearing a light blue pullover shirt, dark blue pants, and beige suede shoes.

Ballenger's disappearance is shrouded in mystery, with no clear evidence indicating whether he voluntarily disappeared or met with foul play. He had been dealing with personal struggles, including unemployment and substance abuse. Investigators considered the possibility that he may have chosen to walk away from his life, given his troubled state. However, the case is complicated by the fact that two close friends of Ballenger were violently beaten around the same time, possibly in connection to local drug activity, raising suspicions that foul play could have been involved.

Despite these leads, no conclusive evidence has emerged over the years. Ballenger's family had him declared legally dead in 1990, but his case remains unsolved. He was a graduate of Satellite Beach High School, and authorities continue to search for any information that might provide answers regarding his fate.

Last Seen: Jun 26, 1977

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.

83%Moderate
John Doe — Palm Bay, Florida
UP1280 • Found Mar 25, 1982
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%155 lb vs 130–150 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
Eyes 50%Blue vs Green
78%Possible
John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP2317
John Doe — Florida
UP2317 • Found Jun 23, 1992
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Sex ✓Male
Age 91%Est. 36–45 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%10 mi away, same county
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%154 lb vs 130–150 lb
78%Possible
John Doe — Florida - unidentified case UP810
John Doe — Florida
UP810 • Found Jul 14, 1982
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 74%107 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%150 lb vs 130–150 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
77%Possible
John Doe — Orlando, Florida
UP579 • Found Aug 10, 1989
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 12 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–5'11"
77%Possible
John Doe — Florida
UP1285 • Found Nov 14, 1981
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 85%66 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%6'1" vs 5'10"–5'11"
76%Possible
John Doe — Orlando, Florida - unidentified case UP531
John Doe — Orlando, Florida
UP531 • Found Dec 15, 1998
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 91%45 mi away, same state
TimingFound 21 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–5'11"
76%Possible
John Doe — Boca Raton, Florida
UP813 • Found Nov 26, 1983
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Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 69%128 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 130–150 lb
75%Possible
John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP17731
John Doe — Miami, Florida
UP17731 • Found Oct 23, 1981
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 18–27 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 61%169 mi away, same state
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%154 lb vs 130–150 lb
Hair 50%Brown vs Blond
75%Possible
John Doe — Orlando, Florida - unidentified case UP524
John Doe — Orlando, Florida
UP524 • Found Mar 4, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–65 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%56 mi away, same state
TimingFound 25 years after last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 64%188 lb vs 130–150 lb
Hair 70%Gray vs Blond
Eyes 70%Hazel vs Green
75%Possible
John Doe — Silver Springs, Florida - unidentified case UP6052
John Doe — Silver Springs, Florida
UP6052 • Found Dec 29, 1992
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 17–30 vs 20 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 72%114 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"–5'11"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 130–150 lb

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.