Deceased/Not Found OH- Ryan Godbey, 26, "JJ", performs as a drag queen, didn't show up for a performance, last seen at "Darlin's Crew" bar, Canton,19 June, 2025.

[Soulmagent]

So we have a mysterious suspect with pretty decent looking body build.
And an arrested BF or roommate . This is not looking good. A struggle at the residence.
I hope they have put a BOLO at the local recycling and such services.
Who is this well pecked man? He is very recognizable .

 

[dotr]

Jun 28, 2025
A Canton family is desperate for answers as the search for missing 26-year-old Ryan "JJ" Godbey reaches its second week. Ryan Godbey last spoke with loved ones on June 19 and was last seen leaving Darlin's CREW, an LGBTQ+ bar and nightclub where they were set to perform in a drag show over the weekend. Godbey, who uses they/them pronouns, was officially reported missing on Sunday, June 22. Canton police say the case involves "mysterious circumstances," and detectives are treating the investigation with urgency.

 

[maamager]

So we have a mysterious suspect with pretty decent looking body build.
And an arrested BF or roommate . This is not looking good. A struggle at the residence.
I hope they have put a BOLO at the local recycling and such services.
Who is this well pecked man? He is very recognizable .

bbm
for sure recognizable. a kind soul in the local search & update group posted enhanced images — crystal clear, SOMEONE will recognize this man.

 

[Soulmagent]

Any minute now, we are waiting .

 

[Vaderman]

Canton police: 'Suspicious circumstances' in case of missing 26-year-old Ryan Godbey

Ryan Godbey last spoke with loved ones on June 19 and was last seen leaving Darlin's CREW in Canton, where the 26-year-old was set to perform over the weekend.

www.wkyc.com

Jackie Godbey, Ryan's mother, told 3News that her son is epileptic and their medication was left behind in their apartment, as well as their cats. She said there were signs of struggle in Ryan's apartment.

"He (Ryan) wouldn't just walk away from his family and his friends. He wouldn't leave his medicine, and he definitely wouldn't have left his cats behind," Jackie Godbey said.

 

[Vaderman]

bbm
for sure recognizable. a kind soul in the local search & update group posted enhanced images — crystal clear, SOMEONE will recognize this man.

None of the news articles I read said anything about the man in the photo. Do they think he is a suspect?

 

[GraceG]

None of the news articles I read said anything about the man in the photo. Do they think he is a suspect?

LE has not named any suspects which is why I redacted the name of the person they arrested on drug and trespassing charges that were referenced in msm articles related to Ryan's disappearance. That person however, has been identified as Ryan's boyfriend. It is still unknown whether the arrest had any connection to Ryan's missing person's case according to the link of the recent article @Vaderman posted about an hour ago.

There has been no mention that I have seen of the man in the photos at the bar as a suspect, and family/friends don't appear to know who he is. But physically, he isn't a match for the boyfriend who was arrested.

 

[maamager]

None of the news articles I read said anything about the man in the photo. Do they think he is a suspect?

he was seen leaving the bar with Ryan and is a person of interest they’d like to identify.

 

[maamager]

Updated flyer.

 

[Lusitana]

Updated flyer.

Well, Ryan looks much younger than 26 on those "new" pictures.

 

[Vaderman]

Updated flyer.

Not good that his license and bank card were found at the side of the interstate.

 

[EnigmaticEpiphany]

I would be looking for someone who visited the drag performance and who didn't make any attempts to hook up with any patrons.

 

[nao]

I would be looking for someone who visited the drag performance and who didn't make any attempts to hook up with any patrons.

Moo...I think that maybe you have not been to many such bars or drag places. I waitressed at 'hetro' bars and I am hetro. But I always went to 'alternative' bars and such to socialize. Just found them more relaxing and welcoming. But true there are always predators around, where ever and whatever bar/entertainment you enjoy...moo

 

[GraceG]

I would be looking for someone who visited the drag performance and who didn't make any attempts to hook up with any patrons.

There was no drag performance the night Ryan went missing. That was for the weekend. June the 19th, when he was last seen, was a Thursday. There was mention made of Ryan checking out costumes and such that night in preparation but there was no performance. Doesn't mean Ryan may not have attracted unwanted attention though.

 

[maamager]

i saw this update and my stomach sank. RG's live-in "ex" had a woman arrested with him in connection to this case. see below, adhering to the 10% summarizing rule:

Criminal cases against two people associated with missing Canton man Ryan T. "JJ" Godbey have been sent to a Stark County grand jury...

..The defendants are a 33-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman. Court records identify him as a Massillon resident and her as a Canton resident, and indicate both are homeless...

..The woman is being held in the Stark County Jail on a $50,000 bond initially put in place June 26."

Two people associated with missing Canton man Ryan Godbey appear in court

Criminal cases against two people associated with missing Canton man Ryan T. "JJ" Godbey have been sent to a Stark County grand jury.

www.cantonrep.com

 

[EnigmaticEpiphany]

Moo...I think that maybe you have not been to many such bars or drag places. I waitressed at 'hetro' bars and I am hetro. But I always went to 'alternative' bars and such to socialize. Just found them more relaxing and welcoming. But true there are always predators around, where ever and whatever bar/entertainment you enjoy...moo

I'm gay, myself, but I wasn't meaning to stereotype gay culture. Just saying looking for a loner would be a starting point, not the only parameter to consider.

On a side note, I was jumped at knifepoint literally a few blocks away years ago. Canton can get nasty late at night.

 

[maamager]

attached is the woman who was arrested with apparent connection to RG's case.

 

[maamager]

I would be looking for someone who visited the drag performance and who didn't make any attempts to hook up with any patrons.

no, i totally see your point here. the gay scene in many of these places in middle America are extremely tight-knit, unlike bigger cities that still have a core group with constant turnaround. coming as a queer woman from ohio, canton isnt any different; maybe even a stellar example. especially as things unfold, i'd be extremely interested in who was the lesser known of the crowd here.

 

[dotr]

Two people associated with missing Canton man Ryan Godbey appear in court

Criminal cases against two people associated with missing Canton man Ryan T. "JJ" Godbey have been sent to a Stark County grand jury.

www.cantonrep.com

''A community vigil is planned for July 2 at Darlin's CREW, 304 Cherry Ave. NE.''

 

[tlorik]

None of this sounds good - hoping and praying for Ryan to be found safe. Sounds like he had lots of love around him from his mom and family.