MI MI - Ralph Nichols, 18, Plainwell, 17 July 1997

[Tuck]

Name - Ralph Edward Nichols

Last Seen - 07/17/1997

Missing From - Plainwell, Michigan

Age - 18

Race - White

Sex - Male

Hair Color - Brown

Eye Color - Blue

Height - 75

Weight - 140

Medical Details - Scar on left leg

Clothing - Blue jeans, a black and red shirt.

Circumstances - The missing person was last seen in his home town of Plainwell, Michigan. At the time of his disappearance, he was carrying a Walkman and headphones.

Despite a long search, I have been able to unearth very little on this case. It appears he has been listed as having preceded his father in death on a recent obituary, but that's where details external to the case file seem to end.

I believe there is a photo of Ralph Nichols in the Plainwell High School Yearbook (Class of 1996) on the Classmates website, but I am unable to access this to determine as to whether this is the case. There is presently no photograph on the case file.

 

[ohthatkatgirl]

Ralph Nichols from the 1996 Plainwell High School yearbook.


1995 Plainwell High School yearbook

 

[ohthatkatgirl]

He was also in the 95-96 French club photo in the 1996 yearbook.

 

[Tuck]

Ralph Nichols from the 1996 Plainwell High School yearbook.

1995 Plainwell High School yearbook

Thank you so much for uploading these. It's great to able to put a face to a name when we know so little about him and his disappearance.

 

[ohthatkatgirl]

That's no problem. It's so frustrating that so little is known about his disappearance.

I noticed in his Grandfather's obituary (death - Oct 11, 2013) there is no mention of his having preceded him in death, while as you mentioned he is listed as having preceded his father (death - Jan 23, 2014) and he is also listed as having preceded his grandmother (death - Mar 24 2015).

 

[Savemecastiel]

Bumping

 

[Adventurer]

I grew up with Ralph and sad to hear of his passing. We didn't have the best relationship, but I do have some circumstantial information I can share. He would have been class of '98 if he had graduated. I don't recall ever hearing about him being a missing person either in school or thru my family which was in the local law enforcement.

Ralph was a loner, often out late at night by himself wandering around town and drinking Mountain Dew. I got the impression he didn't have the best family life (financially and otherwise). It was the 90's and mental health was not a popular topic. I wouldn't doubt him leaving home when he turned 18 and not looking back.

 

[StarrChance]

I grew up with Ralph and sad to hear of his passing. We didn't have the best relationship, but I do have some circumstantial information I can share. He would have been class of '98 if he had graduated. I don't recall ever hearing about him being a missing person either in school or thru my family which was in the local law enforcement.

Ralph was a loner, often out late at night by himself wandering around town and drinking Mountain Dew. I got the impression he didn't have the best family life (financially and otherwise). It was the 90's and mental health was not a popular topic. I wouldn't doubt him leaving home when he turned 18 and not looking back.

Thankyou for sharing, it’s always good to have some insight about a missing person. Without any other information available From what you said I would tend to lean more towards suicide. He could have certainly walked away however unless he was in trouble with the law etc he wouldn’t have needed to change identities.

 

[Nosyrosy90]

Namus #UP8005 is promising. Matching hair, height, Walkman found with remains, age would fit for Nichols. Mentions sleep aid meds found with remains. Do we know if Nichols played a harmonica?

 

[Aurora90]

I grew up with Ralph and sad to hear of his passing. We didn't have the best relationship, but I do have some circumstantial information I can share. He would have been class of '98 if he had graduated. I don't recall ever hearing about him being a missing person either in school or thru my family which was in the local law enforcement.

Ralph was a loner, often out late at night by himself wandering around town and drinking Mountain Dew. I got the impression he didn't have the best family life (financially and otherwise). It was the 90's and mental health was not a popular topic. I wouldn't doubt him leaving home when he turned 18 and not looking back.

Did he play the Harmonica?

 

[Aurora90]

Namus #UP8005 is promising. Matching hair, height, Walkman found with remains, age would fit for Nichols. Mentions sleep aid meds found with remains. Do we know if Nichols played a harmonica?

I came here to suggest this exact match. Was it ever excluded?

 

[Caring1]

I am also visiting Ralph’s thread to suggest UP8005 as a potential match. Ralph went missing July 1997 and unidentified male was found in January 1998. UID was found with a Walkman and headphones also. Estimated age is 16-20. I’m not sure if he was ever submitted but he’s not yet listed as being ruled out.

Ralph’s exclusions are auto (VA) rule outs only.

4 Unidentified Person Exclusions

 

[Sweetluv]

IMO, I think you should submit the UID (UP8055) above....Great find and good potential!

 

[Sweetluv]

Missing since July 17, 1997

 

[amandab]

Does anyone know if the UID was submitted as a potential?

 

[amandab]

I sent an email to the Clark County Coroner on the UID; will update if/when I hear something.