IL IL - James S. Harris, 48, Cahokia, 2 Dec 2001

[TheArtfulDetective]

James S. Harris



Case Classification: Missing
Missing Since: December 02, 2001
Location Last Seen: Cahokia, St. Clair County, Illinois

Description:​

• Date of Birth: circa 1953
• Age: 48
• Race: White/Caucasian
• Gender: Male
• Height: 6'-1" (73 inches)
• Weight: 200 - 220 lbs
• Hair Color: Black/Dark Brown/Graying
• Eye Color: Hazel
• Nickname/Alias: Jim
• Distinguishing Marks/Features: Scar on right leg. Steel rods implanted in both legs.
• Clothing & Personal Items: Black jacket with stripes on the sleeves. Possibly blue denim jeans. White tennis shoes.
• Identifiers: Fingerprints and DNA available.

Circumstances of Disappearance:
Harris was last seen on December 2, 2001 at his residence on 12 Hazelwood Drive in Caseyville, Illinois. He spoke to his wife by telephone and told her he was going to work at Wal-Mart in Collinsville Iliinois. He failed to arrive and has never been heard from again.

At the time of his disappearance, Harris was driving a gray 1993 Ford Ranger pickup truck. It was located the next day abandoned in a parking lot in the 3200 block of Mississippi Avenue in Cahokia, Illinois. His wallet, keys, lunch, Marlboro cigarettes, eyeglasses, and a wedding anniversary card were found inside the vehicle.

The parking lot where the vehicle was discovered was only a short distance from Salem Tire, where Harris used to be employed. Investigations indicated there was possible illegal activity, including stolen inventory, in the tire business about the time he went missing. Few details are available regarding Harris' disappearance and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Investigators:

• St. Clair County Sheriff Department: (618) 825-5718
  Reference Case#: 15677

• Illinois State Police: (618) 975-1294
  Reference Case#: N/A

NamUs Case Number: MP7283
NCIC Case Number: N/A

4812DMIL - James S. Harris
Missing Person / NamUs #MP7283
James S. Harris – The Charley Project

 

[TheArtfulDetective]

Anniversary of disappearance today.

 

[Pennysmom1]

James is still listed as missing

Missing Person / NamUs #MP7283

View NamUs missing person case MP7283 for James S. Harris missing from Cahokia, Illinois. Date of last contact: Dec 02, 2001. NCMEC case number: --.

namus.nij.ojp.gov

The anniversary card is kind of puzzling to me...was there any indication he took off voluntarily? Maybe he is just a good husband who got the card for his wife. I'm just wondering the "tone" of anything he wrote.

James S. Harris – The Charley Project

charleyproject.org

• Race White
• Age 48 years old
• Height and Weight 6'1, 210 pounds
• 
  
• Clothing/Jewelry Description A black jacket with stripes on the sleeves, white sneakers and possibly blue jeans.
• 
  
• Associated Vehicle(s) Gray 1993 Ford Ranger pickup truck with the Illinois license plate number 4JMHRS (accounted for)
• 
  
• Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. Graying brown hair, hazel eyes. Harris has steel rods implanted in both legs as a result of an automobile accident, and he has a scar on his right leg. He smokes Marlboro cigarettes. His nickname is Jim.

Details of Disappearance​

Harris was last seen at his home in St. Clair County, Illinois on December 2, 2001. His wife and daughter were out of town at the time. His wife called and spoke to Harris at 8:00 p.m. He was supposed to begin his first day at a new job at Wal-Mart at 10:00 p.m. that same night, but never arrived and has never been heard from again. (bbm)

Harris's gray 1993 Ford Ranger pickup truck with the Illinois license plate number 4JMHRS was found abandoned on December 3, the day after his disappearance, in a parking lot in the 3200 block of Mississippi Avenue in Cahokia, Illinois. His wallet, keys, cigarettes, eyeglasses and a wedding anniversary card were inside.

A witness reported seeing an African-American male with an inch-high afro haircut and dark-framed military-type eyeglasses sitting in the truck near a pay phone in the same parking lot where the truck was later found.

The parking lot is only a short distance from Salem Tire, where Harris used to work. Subsequent investigation indicated that there was possible illegal activity, including stolen inventory, in the tire business at about the time Harris disappeared.

Little information is available to indicate what happened to Harris. His loved ones stated he had no enemies and was not involved in criminal activity. Harris is considered to be missing under suspicious circumstances; although no hard evidence pointing to foul play has been located, there is also no indication that he is still alive.

He left behind two children and his wife, shortly before the thirtieth wedding anniversary. His case remains unsolved.

 

[Pennysmom1]