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Crime Solvers Central
302 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 (MP90151) and 6 other sources
In the community of Forest City, North Carolina, the family and friends of James Donald 'Donnie' Dover continue to await answers in his troubling disappearance. On the evening of January 15, 2022, the 44-year-old man was last seen at the Speedway gas station on West Main Street around 6:00 PM. Eyewitnesses reported that he got into a blue SUV with a man who has not been identified. At the time he went missing, Dover was described as being 5'11' tall, weighing approximately 175 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and distinctive tattoos on both of his arms. Since that day, there has been no communication from him, and his whereabouts remain unknown, leaving a painful void for those who know him.

The circumstances leading up to Dover's disappearance are particularly alarming and suggest he may have been in a state of distress. In the days just before he was last seen, it was reported that Dover had been the victim of an assault where acetone was thrown in his face. This act left him disoriented and in considerable pain. His girlfriend recounted that he was screaming about his inability to see, indicating the severity of the chemical assault. This distressing event adds a layer of concern and vulnerability to his situation when he was last seen getting into an unknown vehicle with an unidentified individual.

Since his disappearance, the Forest City Police Department has been investigating the case, but substantial leads have not been publicly reported. The investigation into what happened to Donnie Dover continues, but as time passes, the lack of progress is a source of ongoing anguish for his loved ones. The case remains an active and unsolved missing person investigation, a painful puzzle with a missing piece at its center. The overview of the case is one of profound concern, given the violent incident that preceded his disappearance and the complete lack of contact since he stepped into that blue SUV, leaving a family to hope and search for the man they are desperate to bring home.

Last Seen: Jan 15, 2022

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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.

80%Moderate
John Doe — Boiling Springs, South Carolina
UP147722 • Found Aug 4, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 91%Est. 48–62 vs 44 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 97%21 mi away
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'11" vs 5'11"
79%Possible
John Doe — Charlotte, North Carolina
UP161797 • Found Jul 20, 2026
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 44 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 87%58 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'11" vs 5'11"
Weight 100%192 lb vs 175 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Blue 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.