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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 (MP3256) and 11 other sources
In the fall of 2008, a family's life was irrevocably altered when Ricky Daniel Tanner vanished without a trace. A resident of Alto, Georgia, the 42-year-old was working a temporary piping job in Westminster, South Carolina. On October 15, 2008, he was last seen near Cooper Road in Oconee County by the two men he was working with. From that moment on, Ricky's voice was silenced, and his presence was gone. His family and friends were left with a profound sense of loss and a litany of unanswered questions. The days turned into weeks, the weeks into months, and then years, with no word from or sign of Ricky. Despite the passage of time, the pain of his absence remains a constant for those who knew and loved him.

Known to his friends as 'Big Dog,' Ricky was a man with a distinct presence. Standing at five feet eight inches and weighing around 270 pounds, he was a physically imposing figure. He had brown hair and hazel eyes, and a tattoo of his last name, 'Tanner,' entwined with barbed wire. These details, while helping to paint a picture of the man who disappeared, have yet to lead to his whereabouts. The circumstances of his disappearance are unsettling for law enforcement, who suspect that foul play was involved in his case. The two coworkers who last saw him were unable to provide any information that would illuminate the mystery of what happened to him after he was last seen. The lack of any substantial leads has left investigators with a case that has grown cold but has never been forgotten.

The investigation into Ricky Tanner's disappearance is a somber and enduring effort. The Oconee County Sheriff's Department has maintained the case as an open and active investigation, hoping that one day a crucial piece of information will emerge. His case is classified as an endangered missing person, a designation that underscores the serious nature of his disappearance. Years have gone by since he was last seen, and the void of his absence is deeply felt by his family. They, along with investigators, continue to hold out hope for answers and closure. The case of Ricky Daniel Tanner is a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring pain of not knowing the fate of a loved one. The overview of the case is one of a man who traveled for work and simply vanished, leaving behind a mystery that continues to haunt his family and the community.

Last Seen: Oct 15, 2008

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.

75%Possible
John Doe — Boiling Springs, South Carolina
UP147722 • Found Aug 4, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 43 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 84%68 mi away, same state
TimingFound 16 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 5'8"

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.