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Clifton Leonard Missing Person Case

Last seen in Lakeland, Florida on Aug 22, 1983

Victim Details

Mar 31, 2010

Jul 12, 2024

Clifton

Leonard

59

16

72 inches

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Aug 22, 1983

Lakeland

Florida

Polk County

No

8355

Polk County Sheriff's Office

Winter Haven

Florida

Polk County

33880

1891 Jim Keene Boulevard, Florida

8632986834

County

Law Enforcement

83-057893

Polk County Sheriff's Office

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 16, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP5655) and 6 other sources
Clifton Patrick Leonard, a 16-year-old from Lakeland, Florida, was last seen on August 22, 1983. His father had dropped him off at Lake Hollingsworth to meet friends, but when his father returned later that evening to pick him up, Clifton was nowhere to be found. He has not been seen or heard from since. His parents reported him missing two days later, and a subsequent search of his room revealed that a screen had been removed from his window. Clifton had taken a small bag with a bathing suit, a change of clothes, and $20, but he left behind important items like his new glasses, school clothes, and, most notably, his medication for schizophrenia, which he had been diagnosed with years earlier.

Clifton, who wore eyeglasses and was taking Thorazine for his mental health condition, had experienced emotional breakdowns in the past. Despite this, his family did not believe he had run away, as he had never done so before and was excited about returning to school. His friends told investigators that Clifton had left Lake Hollingsworth in a car driven by an unidentified individual, but no suspects have been named, and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear. Over the years, his case has remained unsolved, and his family continues to hope for answers.
Last Seen: Aug 22, 1983

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Clifton Patrick Leonard - The Charley Project
  • Clif Leonard | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Age-Progressed Image Released of 1983 Cold Case of Missing Teen
  • 671DMFL - Clifton Patrick Leonard - Doe Network
  • Clifton Leonard vanished 34 years ago - فيسبوك - Facebook
  • Clifton Patrick Leonard was a... - Spectrum Bay News 9 - Facebook

    • 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 — 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 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 80%82 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 9 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 170 lb
    78%Possible
    John Doe — Bonita Springs, Florida
    UP7913 • Found Dec 20, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 92%Est. 18–30 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 71%118 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 16 months after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"
    Weight 73%210 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    77%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 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 90%48 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 15 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    75%Possible
    John Doe — North Port, Florida
    UP60596 • Found Jan 1, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 85%66 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'1" vs 6'0"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Miami, Florida - unidentified case UP5313
    John Doe — Miami, Florida
    UP5313 • Found Nov 3, 1993
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 15–30 vs 16 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 57%191 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 10 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'11" vs 6'0"
    Weight 98%151 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel

    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 (1)

    I've been digging into Clifton Patrick Leonard's case, and there's something that's been puzzling... ...Read More
    07/17/2024

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