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

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP64694) and 3 other sources
On a day in early March 2015, 54-year-old Darnell Ames was seen by a family member as he left his residence in the University Village community of Chicago, Illinois. He never returned, and this was the last time he was seen. When he was last observed, Mr. Ames was wearing black jeans. His sudden and unexplained absence prompted his family to report him missing to the Chicago Police Department, launching an investigation into his whereabouts that has now stretched on for years, leaving his loved ones in a painful state of limbo.

Darnell Ames is a Black / African American man who, at the time he went missing, stood between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall, with a weight of approximately 175 to 185 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. His family has provided several distinct physical features in the hope that they might help someone identify him. Mr. Ames has a scar on the center of his forehead, a large, linear scar on the back of his right hand, and a scar on his right eyebrow. In addition, he has a scar on his abdomen and both of his ears are pierced. These identifying marks are crucial details in the ongoing effort to locate him and bring his family some form of resolution.

The Chicago Police Department's Area Three detectives have been handling the investigation into Darnell Ames's disappearance. Despite the passage of time, his case remains open as they continue to seek any information that could shed light on what happened to him after he walked away from his home. The circumstances of his disappearance are a mystery, with no clear indication of why he left or where he may have gone. The case serves as a somber reminder of the many individuals who go missing, leaving behind families to grapple with the uncertainty and the enduring hope for their return or for answers that might bring closure. An overview of the case shows a man who seemingly vanished, and with scant details available to the public, the search for him relies heavily on community awareness and the possibility that someone, somewhere, holds a piece of information that could solve the mystery of his disappearance.

Last Seen: Mar 8, 2015

Possible Unidentified Matches (9)

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.

81%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP60200 • Found Aug 15, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 54 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%9 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'6"–6'0" vs 5'10"–6'0"
81%Moderate
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP51608
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP51608 • Found Jun 25, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 50–65 vs 54 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10"–6'2" vs 5'10"–6'0"
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
78%Possible
John Doe — Maywood, Illinois
UP80363 • Found Nov 7, 2020
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 54 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%11 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5"–5'11" vs 5'10"–6'0"
77%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP58274 • Found May 14, 2019
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 67%Est. 35–50 vs 54 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–6'0"
Weight 84%217 lb vs 175–185 lb
77%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP131092 • Found Oct 6, 2024
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 45–60 vs 54 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%3 mi away, same county
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 75%5'7"–6'3" vs 5'10"–6'0"
76%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP15498
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP15498 • Found May 4, 2016
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 54 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 14 months after last seen
76%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP13832 • Found Apr 14, 2015
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 35–60 vs 54
Race 100%Black
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 5 weeks after last seen
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP84418 • Found Jun 10, 2021
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 40–60 vs 54 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%4 mi away, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 75%5'6"–6'1" vs 5'10"–6'0"
Hair 40%Gray vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
UP17748 • Found Mar 19, 2018
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 95%Est. 58–72 vs 54 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 100%6 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 4%5'3" vs 5'10"–6'0"
Weight 98%155 lb vs 175–185 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
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.