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

Case Description

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Summary based on 2 sources
In the spring of 1984, a 34-year-old man named Randall Russell Gunning was navigating a difficult period in his life. Born on April 15, 1950, Randall was dealing with the heavy burden of depression. On May 5, 1984, he was seen for the last time in the area of Elliot Lake, a community nestled in the rugged landscape of Northern Ontario. On that day, his presence in the small town would become the last known trace of his existence, marking the beginning of a long and unanswered question for those who may have known him.

Randall was a Caucasian male with a medium build, standing at approximately five feet eight inches tall and weighing around 160 pounds. He had long, straight brown hair, and at the time he went missing, he wore a beard and a moustache. He also wore glasses to aid his brown eyes. His last known attire consisted of a practical red and black hunting-style jacket paired with jeans. The choice of a hunting jacket might have been common for the region and season, but it offered one of the few tangible details in the wake of his sudden disappearance.

The circumstances surrounding Randall's disappearance remain unclear, with very little information available to the public in the years that have followed. The Ontario Provincial Police from the East Algoma Detachment were noted as the primary agency involved in his case. It was believed by some that due to his struggle with depression, he may have considered taking his own life. This possibility cast a somber shadow over the case, suggesting a quiet and personal end rather than a public spectacle. Without any further evidence or contact, the trail grew cold, leaving an enduring mystery. The overview of the case is one of a quiet disappearance of a man who was reportedly struggling with his mental health, and who vanished without a trace from a small Northern Ontario town.

Last Seen: May 5, 1984

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

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.

75%Possible
John Doe — Marina del Rey, California
UP4185 • Found Oct 9, 1985
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–35 vs 34 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 25%Different state
TimingFound 17 months after last seen
Height 100%5'10" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%145 lb vs 161 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Clothing: both mention pant
75%Possible
John Doe — Fort Washington, Maryland
UP1890 • Found Apr 6, 1984
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–39 vs 34
Race 100%White
Location 25%Different state
TimingFound same day as last seen
Height 100%5'9" vs 5'9"
Weight 100%175 lb vs 161 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
Clothing: both mention jean

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.