Ronald Kevin Ross, known as Byrd, was 23 when he left Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in September 1978. On September 14 he spoke with his sister, said he was heading to Washington D.C., and told her he loved her — the last contact his family recorded. He stood between 6 feet 0 inches and 6 feet 3 inches, weighed about 160 to 170 pounds, had a tattoo of his nickname on his arm, a pierced left ear, and moles near his right eye and on the right side of his nose.

The break in contact was abrupt and uncharacteristic; his family believes some harm befell him. They also heard unconfirmed rumors he may have been involved in illegal activity around the time he vanished. The Winston-Salem Police Department has an open, unsolved endangered missing person case with no definitive answers.

If anyone knew Ronald, saw him in September 1978, or has information about his travel to Washington D.C., please come forward.