Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 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 (MP5709) and 7 other sources
In the late summer of 1978, a young man named Ronald Kevin Ross, a 23-year-old male from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, prepared to embark on a journey. On September 14, 1978, he spoke with his sister, telling her that he was heading to Washington D.C. and expressing his love for her. This would be the last time his family would ever hear from him. Standing between 6'0' and 6'3' and weighing around 160 to 170 pounds, Ronald, also known by his nickname 'Byrd,' had several distinguishing features. He had a tattoo of his nickname on his arm, his left ear was pierced, and he had moles near his right eye and on the right side of his nose. The abruptness of his departure and the subsequent silence were deeply uncharacteristic of the man who was known to be very close to his family, especially his mother.

Decades have passed since Ronald's disappearance, and the ache of not knowing his fate has been a constant for his loved ones. The family has long held the belief that some harm must have befallen him, as it was unlike him to sever all contact. Their concerns were compounded by rumors they had heard suggesting that Ronald may have been involved in some form of illegal activity around the time he went missing. This information, though unconfirmed, added a layer of fear and complexity to an already heartbreaking situation. The Winston-Salem Police Department has maintained an open case file on his disappearance, a silent testament to a life interrupted and a family left in limbo.

The investigation into what happened to Ronald Kevin Ross has yielded no definitive answers, and his case remains an unsolved and endangered missing person case. Despite the passage of time, the hope for resolution, however painful, persists. The official record of his disappearance is a somber reminder of the many individuals who vanish, leaving behind a void of unanswered questions. The circumstances surrounding his last known moments—a planned trip and a final, loving word to his sister—are a poignant starting point to a story with no clear end. The overview of the case is one of a sudden and complete cessation of contact, a family's enduring belief of foul play, and the lingering shadow of his potential involvement in dangerous activities.

Last Seen: Sep 14, 1978

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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.

77%Possible
John Doe — Columbia, South Carolina - unidentified case UP163353
John Doe — Columbia, South Carolina
UP163353 • Found Mar 4, 1986
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 64%156 mi away
TimingFound 7 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10"–5'11" vs 6'0"–6'3"
Weight 100%170–180 lb vs 160–170 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown 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.