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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 (MP71627) and 2 other sources
In the winter of 2019, concerns grew for the well-being of 56-year-old James Ellis. The last point of contact anyone had with him was on January 12 of that year in Atlanta, Georgia. Leading up to this date, there were signs of his activity in the city, as he had been pawning some of his belongings. This activity, however, came to an abrupt end, and so did any communication from him. After a period of silence with no one hearing from him, a request for a welfare check was made.

When law enforcement arrived at his Atlanta apartment, they were met with a scene that only deepened the mystery of his whereabouts. The entire apartment was empty, and his vehicle was also gone. This discovery suggested that his departure may have been planned, but the lack of contact with any friends or family was highly uncharacteristic and alarming. The search for James Ellis began, with law enforcement and likely his loved ones hoping for a swift resolution. A significant amount of time would pass before any new development in the case would emerge.

Several months after he was last seen, a break in the case came when his vehicle was located. It had been abandoned in a county just outside of Atlanta, raising more questions than answers. Information regarding the specific condition of the vehicle or any potential evidence found within it has not been made widely available. The discovery of the abandoned car marked the last major public update in his case. To date, James Ellis, a Black / African American male with black hair and brown eyes, standing at approximately 5'7' to 5'8' and weighing between 145 and 160 pounds, remains missing. The investigation into his disappearance, which began with an unsettling discovery at his empty apartment, continues to be handled by the City of Canton Police Department. The circumstances surrounding his last known activities and the subsequent discovery of his abandoned vehicle paint a concerning picture of a man who vanished without a trace.

Last Seen: Jan 12, 2019

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.

86%Strong
John Doe — Atlanta, Georgia - unidentified case UP154154
John Doe — Atlanta, Georgia
UP154154 • Found May 24, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 56 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'7"–5'8"
Weight 99%129 lb vs 145–160 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown 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.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.