Latest news with #JackieGodbey
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Family continues search for missing Canton man now considered murder victim
CANTON, Ohio (WJW) – Sunday will mark two weeks since the last time anyone saw 26-year-old Ryan Godbey. On Thursday, his mom Jackie got a call from Canton's mayor. She found out her son's missing persons case turned into a homicide case. 1 killed, 5 hurt hurt in overnight shooting in Buckeye Plaza: I-Team According to police, new evidence leads them to believe Godbey has died, although his body has not been located. 33-year-old Daniel Mattay was arrested and hit with several charges including murder. 'We just want to bring Ryan home,' Jackie Godbey told Fox 8. She told FOX 8 that Ryan and Mattay were friends but didn't want to share more than that to avoid interfering with the case detectives are building. Godbey has been leading large search parties without a clue of where to go, but that hasn't stopped her from trying to find her son. It's summer festival season! Here's a list of 2025 events in NE Ohio 'I hope that Ryan knows that. That we are all trying to bring him home. That we know he serves so much better than this,' she said through tears. 'We're asking anybody with any information, any knowledge, that could please help me, our family, our friends, the community. We're searching. We just want to bring Ryan home.' Mattay has an initial court appearance for an arraignment scheduled for Monday morning in Canton. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Yahoo
The search for Ryan 'J.J.' Godbey: Canton detectives talk to man about missing person case
CANTON ‒ An "associate" of a missing 26-year-old man was arrested and jailed June 24 on charges of criminal trespass, aggravated possession of drugs and probation violations in three prior felony cases. Police spokesman Lt. Dennis Garren said the case is affiliated with the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Ryan T. "JJ" Godbey, 26, of northwest Canton, who was last seen at a downtown nightclub June 19. He described the man arrested as a "associate of the victim." Godbey's family reported him missing under suspicious circumstances on June 22. His last known text, sent to a friend at 12:27 a.m. June 20, said that a man named Danny was upset. He did not reply to a text from his friend. The man who was arrested was found to be in possession of drugs when detectives went to speak with him, Garren wrote in an email. He was arrested at vacant building in the 1200 block of Walnut Avenue NE. At an arraignment in Canton Municipal Court on June 26, Magistrate Christy Pierson set bond at $75,000 for the defendant, a 33-year-old Massillon man listed as being homeless in online court records. A status hearing is scheduled for June 30. He remained in jail on the afternoon of June 26. Police Chief John Gabbard said June 24 that detectives were "acting with an increased sense of urgency" in the search for Godbey, based on a number of factors. His mother Jackie Godbey told Repository news partner News 5 Cleveland that her son's apartment showed signs of a struggle, and that Ohio Department of Transportation workers had found his bank card and driver's license along Interstate 77 near the Pro Football Hall of Fame. She said she believes he is in danger for several reasons: He failed to give scheduled performances at a June 21 queer prom, he left medication for seizures and other conditions in his apartment, and he left behind his cats, drag makeup and outfits. Godney is 5-foot-8 and weighs about 180 pounds. He has long brown hair that he wears in a ponytail or pulled back. He was last seen at Darlin's CREW wearing a red T-shirt, black pants and white Nike shoes. Canton: Police searching with 'urgency' for missing person last seen at LGBTQ+ club He is part of the LGBTQ+ community who dresses as a man unless he is performing in drag, said his mother. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Canton police at 330-649-5800 or the Canton Police Detective Bureau at 330-489-3144. Anonymous tips can also be sent to Tip411 or the Stark County Crime Stoppers. Sign up for Tip411 at Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ryan Godbey associate jailed on trespassing, drug charges
