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Michael Grimes Missing Person Case

Last seen in Nacogdoches, Texas on Jan 18, 1999

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Victim Details

Feb 13, 2013

Jan 12, 2024

Michael

Grimes

57

30

72 inches

200 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Jan 18, 1999

Nacogdoches

Texas

Nacogdoches County

Unknown

22460

Texas Rangers

Longview

Texas

Gregg County

75601

Josh Mason

Ranger

101 East Methvin, Texas

9032368419

State

Law Enforcement

https://www.co.gregg.tx.us/texas-ranger

RG2004-00076

Nacogdoches County Sheriff's Office

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 8, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP19239) and 8 other sources
Michael Wayne Grimes, aged 30, was last seen on January 18, 1999, at Ken's Wrecking Yard in Nacogdoches, Texas. He had left his mother's home that day with another man, Rodney Wayne Cearley, and never returned. Grimes' disappearance raised alarms when he failed to come home, and the case quickly escalated from a missing person investigation to a homicide case.

Cearley, who was the last person seen with Grimes, later admitted during his trial that he had killed Grimes during an altercation. According to Cearley, both men were intoxicated and using rat poison to get high when a fight broke out, resulting in Cearley fatally stabbing Grimes. He claimed to have buried Grimes' body in a wooded area, but despite his confession, Grimes' body has never been found. Cearley was convicted of murder in 2007 and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Grimes had reconstructive plates and screws on the right side of his face due to a previous injury, and he had several tattoos on his arms, chest, and abdomen. Despite extensive searches, his remains have not been recovered, and his family continues to seek closure.
Last Seen: Jan 18, 1999

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Michael Wayne Grimes - The Charley Project
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP19239
  • 1029DMTX - Michael Wayne Grimes - Doe Network
  • Texas Lostnmissing - NamUs MP # 19239 #Missing Michael Wayne ...
  • Texas DPS Missing Persons Bulletin - Texas Department of Public ...
  • Texas Missing Persons Clearinghouse Online Bulletin - mpDetails
  • Human remains found in Cushing, sheriff says - Jacksonville Progress
  • VANISHED: Michael Wayne Grimes - KETK.com

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (4)

    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 — Dallas, Texas
    UP1736 • Found Mar 16, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 20–30 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 65%149 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 100%6'0" vs 6'0"
    Weight 100%200 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 50%Blond vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Longview, Texas
    UP1797 • Found Mar 7, 2004
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 25–45 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 86%62 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 5 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'10" vs 6'0"
    Weight 80%160 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Texas
    UP3520 • Found Jan 10, 2000
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 30
    Race 100%White
    Location 86%62 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 12 months after last seen
    Height 68%5'9" vs 6'0"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Texas - unidentified case UP3522
    John Doe — Texas
    UP3522 • Found Dec 6, 1999
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 25–30 vs 30
    Race 100%White
    Location 75%100 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 months after last seen
    Weight 83%237 lb vs 200 lb
    Hair 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.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    Michael Wayne Grimes, 30, was last seen January 18, 1999, at Ken’s Wrecking Yard in Nacogdoches... ...Read More
    01/09/2024

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