Scott Michael Morris was 14 years old when he disappeared from Indianapolis, Indiana on **August 14, 1978**, after heading to a convenience store just down the street from his home. Born December 31, 1963, he stood approximately 5′ 6″ tall and weighed around 140 lb, with brown hair and brown eyes. He had visible scars on his knee and buttocks, and he may have used the alias **Jeffrey**.
At the time, investigators classified him as an **endangered runaway**, since he was known to run away from home with frequency. But his disappearance was notable—even among runaways—because he did not return as he had previously and because no whereabouts eventually came to light. He was reported missing by his grandmother, though it's unclear whether a formal police report was filed immediately; some accounts suggest the family waited until after later phone contact to involve law enforcement.
Three days after vanishing, Scott reportedly **called his family**, stating he had taken a job working for a carnival in Pennsylvania. He refused to give any specific location or further details. A second—and final—call occurred around **1989**, over a decade later, when he reportedly called a family friend to say he was still working for the carnival. That conversation was brief and similarly declined to reveal his whereabouts. After that, he was never heard from again.
In **1990**, a nude male body was discovered in **Daviess County, Kentucky**. The victim had been beaten, shot to death, and — severely mutilated: with hands and feet removed and teeth missing. In **2007**, he was widely believed to have been Scott, but DNA testing in **January 2009** conclusively ruled him out. The Kentucky remains remain unidentified today. The case was reentered into the missing‐persons database in **February 2010**.
Through the years, public-interest groups and cold case websites have maintained Scott’s missing‐person file. He is listed in NCIC/NamUs and features age-progressed images . His case status remains officially **unsolved**; he has not been located, and investigators remain open to any credible leads.
Various discussion forums, including Websleuths, have speculated on anomalies in Scott’s timeline. Some posters question why the family waited until after the 1989 phone call to file an official missing report, and whether the two calls were truly from Scott himself—suggestions range from a desire to conceal involvement by others to possible coercion. One forum contributor noted:
> “If Scott did call that first time it makes more sense to me that he was lying or was told to call and say that. Possibly by this unnamed man with an unhealthy interest in a 10 year old… this whole case is so strange and little makes sense to me.”
Despite these points of speculation, no definitive evidence has emerged to confirm any suspect or location. Investigators encourage anyone with information—no matter how small—to contact the **Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department**. The case remains active but cold, awaiting any new clues or breakthroughs.
In sum, Scott Michael Morris vanished from his Indianapolis neighborhood at age 14 on August 14, 1978. Known as a frequent runaway, he nonetheless severed all ties after two brief, cryptic phone calls—one days after his disappearance, another over a decade later—each linking him vaguely to a carnival in Pennsylvania. A misidentified body once offered false hope, but DNA testing extinguished that lead. At age now 61 Scott remains a missing person; his disappearance remains unresolved, and the case stands open pending any credible new information.Last Seen: Aug 14, 1978
