Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP4196) and 3 other sources
In the summer of 1992, a 71-year-old man named Clarence Ruffin vanished from his home in Avondale, Louisiana, leaving his family and community with unanswered questions. On July 10th, he left his residence with the simple intention of getting a haircut on Morgan Court. It was a routine outing for the elderly man, but he was never seen or heard from again. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance were immediately concerning to his loved ones. Mr. Ruffin was not known to leave without informing anyone, and his sudden absence was entirely out of character. He was a man who relied on a familiar routine, making his failure to return home all the more alarming. The day he went missing, he was reportedly wearing blue or brown pants, a black shirt, and a blue cap, along with black shoes.

Compounding the urgency of his disappearance were Mr. Ruffin's significant health issues. He suffered from memory loss and had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a condition that could have easily caused him to become disoriented and lose his way. In addition to his cognitive challenges, he also had a heart problem that required regular medication. The combination of his memory impairment and his physical health concerns made him particularly vulnerable and heightened the fears for his well-being. The possibility that he had become confused and wandered off was a primary concern for investigators and his family. The lack of any immediate leads or sightings only deepened the mystery of what could have happened to him on that summer day.

As days turned into weeks and then years, the case of Clarence Ruffin grew cold, with few details emerging to shed light on his whereabouts. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office investigated his disappearance, but the trail seemed to end on Morgan Court. The absence of any concrete evidence or witnesses left authorities with very little to go on. Despite the passage of time, the unsettling nature of his disappearance has led to the suspicion of foul play. The fact that a vulnerable elderly man could simply vanish without a trace from a familiar neighborhood remains a haunting reality for those who knew him and for the wider community. The overview of the case is one of a beloved family member who, while suffering from serious health conditions, disappeared during a routine activity, leaving behind a painful and enduring mystery.

Last Seen: Jul 10, 1992

Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

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 — Ocean Springs, Mississippi
UP101307 • Found Sep 2, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 58–72 vs 71 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 78%89 mi away
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–5'10" vs 5'10"
Weight 100%165–185 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 70%Black vs Gray
77%Possible
John Doe — New Orleans, Louisiana - unidentified case UP683
John Doe — New Orleans, Louisiana
UP683 • Found Jan 11, 2007
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 95%Est. 60–70 vs 71 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 96%23 mi away, same state
TimingFound 15 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'10"
75%Possible
John Doe — New Orleans, Louisiana - unidentified case UP10861
John Doe — New Orleans, Louisiana
UP10861 • Found Nov 20, 2012
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 94%Est. 55–70 vs 71 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%8 mi away, same state
TimingFound 20 years after last seen
Height 84%6'0" vs 5'10"

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.