302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Johnny Franklin Missing Person Case

Last seen in Tyler, Texas on Oct 7, 2008

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Victim Details

Created

Jan 3, 2010

Case Added

Dec 26, 2023

First Name

Johnny

Last Name

Franklin

Current Age

Age At Disappearance

Height

69 inches

Height To

70 inches

Weight

165 lbs

Weight To

175 lbs

Ethnicity

Black / African American

Gender

Male

Last Seen

Oct 7, 2008

City

Tyler

State

Texas

County

Smith County

Agency ID

20864

Agency Name

Texas Missing Persons Clearinghouse

Agency City

Austin

Agency State

Texas

Agency County

Travis County

Agency Zip Code

78773

Agency Address

PO Box 4087, Texas

Agency Phone

8003463243

Agency Jurisdiction

State

Agency Type

Law Enforcement

Agency Website

https://www.dps.texas.gov/mpch

Agency Case #

M0901002

Primary Agency

Texas Missing Persons Clearinghouse

Hair Color

Black

Left Eye Color

Brown

Right Eye Color

Brown

Last Updated

Oct 3, 2026

Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!

Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP4507) and 6 other sources

Johnny William Franklin, 53, was last seen in Tyler, Texas, on October 7, 2008. He disappeared under mysterious circumstances, and his vehicle was found abandoned two weeks later behind the Liberty Baptist Church on North Grand Avenue in Tyler. There were no immediate signs of foul play at the scene. Despite searches, including efforts to comb nearby wooded areas, no trace of Johnny was found. Prior to his disappearance, Johnny was known to frequent certain drug houses, leading investigators to consider the possibility that he may have been taken against his will.

His case remains classified as endangered missing, with authorities continuing to search for clues. If anyone has information regarding his whereabouts, they are urged to contact the Tyler Police Department. His case remains unsolved, with little progress made since his disappearance.
Last Seen: Oct 7, 2008

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!

Tyler Police trying to locate missing Tyler man - KLTV.com

Johnny William Franklin - The Charley Project

The Disappearance of Johnny William Franklin

VANISHED: Johnny Franklin - YouTube

Tyler Police Search Wooded Area for Missing Man | cbs19.tv

VANISHED: Johnny William Franklin - KETK.com

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.

76%Possible

John Doe — Dallas, Texas

UP52735 • Found Jul 20, 2018

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 53 when missing

Race 100%Black

Location 78%91 mi away, same state

TimingFound 10 years after last seen

Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"–5'10"

Weight 68%121 lb vs 165–175 lb

Hair 100%Black vs Black

Eyes 0%Gray 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.

Johnny Franklin Missing Person Case

Last seen in Tyler, Texas on Oct 7, 2008

Victim Details

Case Description

Links to Additional Sources (6)

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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Forum Posts (1)

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