Donald Hunnicutt Missing Person Case

Apr 04, 2023

Mar 18, 2024

Donald

Hunnicutt

59

56

74 inches

170 lbs

Black / African American

Male

In the late summer of 2022, a sense of unease began to settle over a family in western Michigan. Donald Eugene Hunnicutt, a 56-year-old man known affectionately as "DonDee," vanished on September 3rd from Kentwood, a suburb of Grand Rapids. He was last seen at a cousin's home in the vicinity of 44th Street SE and Bowen Boulevard. Donald, a resident of Grand Rapids, was a familiar and beloved figure in his community. Standing at six feet two inches and weighing around 170 pounds, he was a noticeable presence. His appearance was distinct, with a bald head, though he sometimes wore weaves, and brown eyes. He had scars on his face and arms, and tattoos of music notes and the initials "DH" on his arm. On the day he disappeared, he was reportedly wearing a white t-shirt and either blue or black shorts. Donald did not own a vehicle and relied on walking or public transportation to get around. As days turned into weeks with no word from Donald, his family grew increasingly concerned. While it was not entirely unusual for him to be out of touch for periods, the length of this silence was alarming and unprecedented. A missing persons report was filed with the Grand Rapids Police Department in September, but initially, the case yielded no significant leads. The family took to social media, sharing his flyer and creating a Facebook page dedicated to finding him, in an effort to bring awareness to his disappearance. Despite their efforts and pleas for information from the public, the investigation struggled to gain traction in its early stages. Law enforcement officials initially stated they had no reason to believe his disappearance was suspicious. As time stretched on, the circumstances surrounding Donald's absence became more troubling. In late 2024, the investigation took a significant turn when police discovered that his EBT card had been used by an extended family member on September 26, 2022, not long after he was last seen. This discovery was a pivotal moment, suggesting that Donald was not in a good place and prompting a more intensive look into his case. The Grand Rapids Police Department launched a parallel homicide investigation alongside the active missing persons case, acknowledging the possibility of a serious crime. Rumors began to circulate about his fate, though none have been substantiated by law enforcement. His family continues to hold out hope for answers, pushing for a thorough investigation into what happened to their beloved cousin, who they describe as a "cool cat" and a "gentle soul." The case, now assigned to the cold case team, remains a painful mystery for his loved ones and the community, a testament to a life interrupted and a family left waiting in a state of limbo.

Sep 03, 2022

Kentwood

Michigan

Kent County

49508

No

124339

Grand Rapids Police Department

Grand Rapids

Michigan

Kent County

49503

Curtis Satterthwaite

Detective

1 Monroe Center NW, Michigan

6164563400

Local

Law Enforcement

22-50724

2022-09-03

Grand Rapids Police Department

2374

Bald

Brown

Brown

07/13/2026