Donald Arlen Ping, known to family as Donnie, was 42 when he disappeared from Dayton, Ohio after leaving his job at the Elder-Beerman store in the 2900 block of Philadelphia Drive. Last seen about 6:00 p.m. leaving work, his routine was to catch a bus on Siebenthaler Drive to his home on Wayne Avenue; those who saw him that evening said he seemed in good spirits. He wore a black jacket, black tie, gray slacks, a dark parka-style coat, dark socks and black loafers, and had a left ear piercing, burn scars on the left side of his neck and shoulder, and an old injury to his right heel.

His family discovered the clothes he had worn that day were not in his apartment, and his bank shows a withdrawal of $42 just before he vanished with no account activity afterward. The Dayton Police Department investigated but the trail went cold and few details have emerged about whether he reached the bus stop or what happened en route. He was later legally declared deceased so his son could access 401(k) funds.

What did Donnie mean to his community or family, and did anyone in Dayton see him that evening or notice the black parka after he left work?