Ronald Patton

On Thursday, October 11, 1979, the body of a young man was discovered in a field off West Third Street, near the old city incinerator, in Dayton, Ohio. He was identified as 23-year-old Ronald Patton. An autopsy would later determine that he had been shot multiple times, with at least one wound to the head. His death was quickly ruled a homicide by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, beginning a mystery that has now spanned more than four decades.

Details about Ronald’s life are scarce, but his death left a void in the lives of those who knew him. He was a young man at the beginning of his adult life, with a future that was violently cut short. The sudden and brutal nature of his death left his family and community searching for answers that have yet to come.

The initial investigation into Ronald's murder was handled by the Dayton Police Department. Detectives worked to piece together his final hours, trying to establish a timeline and identify anyone who might have wished him harm. The location where his body was found, a somewhat isolated area, suggested he may have been killed elsewhere and left there. Investigators explored various leads and interviewed potential witnesses, but the case eventually grew cold. No suspects were publicly identified, and no arrests were made, leaving the motive for the killing a complete unknown.

Over the years, Ronald Patton’s case has not been forgotten. It is listed among the unsolved homicides on the Ohio Attorney General's office website, a digital repository of cold cases that authorities hope might be solved with a new tip or a fresh look at old evidence. These cases represent a solemn promise from law enforcement to the victims and their families that they will continue to seek justice, no matter how much time has passed. The inclusion of Ronald's case ensures that his name and the circumstances of his death remain in the public consciousness.

For decades, Dayton has, like many American cities, contended with periods of violence. In the late 1970s, the city was navigating economic shifts and social changes, a backdrop against which crimes like the murder of Ronald Patton occurred. While each homicide is a unique tragedy, his case became one of many that frustrated investigators and left a lasting scar on the community.

The investigation into the homicide of Ronald Patton is now considered a cold case, but it remains open. The Dayton Police Department and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation periodically review such cases, hoping that advances in forensic technology or a person coming forward with long-held information could provide the breakthrough they need. Someone, somewhere, likely holds the key to understanding what happened to Ronald on that autumn day in 1979.

As of November 2026, no one has been charged in connection with the murder of Ronald Patton. His family has waited more than 40 years for justice. Authorities urge anyone who may have information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. A small detail could be the missing piece that finally solves the case and brings a measure of peace to his loved ones. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.