Ronald Ray Lander, 51, was last in contact with friends or family by phone in April 2021. At the time of his disappearance on April 15, 2021, he was experiencing homelessness in Billings, Montana. There was little information available regarding the specific circumstances of his disappearance. He was described as a Caucasian male, 5'8" tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with blond or strawberry-blond hair and blue eyes.
For nearly five years, his family lived with the uncertainty of his whereabouts.
In March 2026, the long wait for answers came to a sorrowful end when Mr. Lander's skeletal remains were discovered. A city code enforcement officer found the remains in a tent in the backyard of a residence on the south side of Billings. The homeowner was in the process of cleaning the property with code enforcement when the discovery was made. A resident of the home stated that his late father had given a man named Ron permission to stay in the yard years prior.
While the discovery of his remains brought a close to the search, the cause and manner of his death remain undetermined. Authorities have stated that they have not seen anything suspicious in connection with the case. Following the discovery, Mr. Lander's family expressed the emotional weight of the years of uncertainty and the new burden of arranging his final services. His son was named the next of kin, and the family, who had also been raising Mr. Lander's youngest child, sought community support to provide him with a dignified farewell.Last Seen: Apr 15, 2021
