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.

[maamager]

 

[dotr]

July 3 2025

'Bring Ryan home!' Supporters call for Ryan Godbey's safe return

Dozens of people attended a drag show and vigil at Darlin's CREW bar in Canton on July 2 to support the safe return of missing Ryan Godbey.

www.cantonrep.com

'CANTON − Drag queen entertainer Lady Inferno Diamond performed an elaborate lip-synch of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," for free at Darlin's CREW bar July 2 to help bring awareness to missing fellow drag performer Ryan T. "JJ" Godbey.

Lady Inferno Diamond, who didn't personally know Godbey, offered to donate all tips collected to Godbey's family to help cover the cost of a $5,000 reward and for family members to take time off from work to search for Godbey.'

''Patty McFarland handed out yellow stars that said "#bringRyanhome." She said she had learned that Godbey's favorite emoji was a yellow star.''

https://gifer.com/es/gifs/yellow-star

 

[starlightstarbright]

I wonder the connection between these two POIs. The first thing that came to mind was siblings, but I don’t think they’re siblings. I assume just they know each other, very odd that both are homeless. I guess that is an indication of the sort of lifestyle Daniel was living. Though strange that they are saying he is a ‘live in ex’ but also homeless. Perhaps the relationship was ending and hence whatever led to Ryan’s disappearance. MOO

 

[EnigmaticEpiphany]

I keep thinking the suspects believed JJ was a "groomer" (which is a common insult directed at gay people) and they ransacked their home looking for "proof." Maybe Ryan had a picture of a young nephew or something on display and the perps thought something of it.

 

[holtzmann]

Paige McGeorge has just shared on social media (Facebook) that detectives have informed her and her mother that they are charging Daniel Mattay with the homicide of Ryan Godbey.

Hello, on behalf of my mom and I we would like everyone to know that detectives just informed us they are charging Daniel Mattay with the homicide of my brother Ryan Godbey.
My mom asked me to let everyone know as we have many still out actively helping us search. Detectives have not yet located Ryan to bring him home to us, but they are confident they will find him soon. 
CPD will be doing a press release soon, please follow them for more information. She wanted me to be sure to try to share the news with you all first as she is so grateful for how we came together for Ryan. She asked me to share this picture as it is one of her favorite and also asked me to let everyone know per her request she would like the searches to stop for now. Again the detectives are confident that they will find him soon. We are going to take this time to grieve and be with our family. I encourage you all to go home and hold your loved ones tight. 
We want to thank everyone for all of their help, time, prayers, everything these last 2 weeks. Thank you to the detectives and CPD. Please continue to pray that the detectives locate my baby brother and bring him home soon please, and please keep my family in your prayers.
Rest in peace Ry, I am so sorry. I love you I am so sorry. I promise to finish this and get you home. I promise. Until we meet again

 

[iamshadow21]

Paige McGeorge has just shared on social media (Facebook) that detectives have informed her and her mother that they are charging Daniel Mattay with the homicide of Ryan Godbey.

That photo is indeed perfect.

Conventional formal wear for a boy, but paired with a delicate silver necklace, pearl stud earrings, and blowing glitter. A wonderful depiction of them.

MOO

 

[GraceG]

Such disheartening news. I have not discussed the person arrested in detail as LE didn't formally name tham as a suspect (and so we couldn't "sleuth" them here in the thread til that happened), but I'm wondering - will the person charged be the same person that Ryan had a "no contact order" steming from the assault case last october (which I linked for Ryan from the public criminal court search)?

 

[GMS]

Here's a report from Cleveland 19 News with the official murder charge (bbm)

"Daniel Z. Mattay was charged with murder, felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence."

Man charged with murder in connection with missing Canton 26-year-old

A 33-year-old man was charged with murder in connection with the disappearance of 26-year-old Ryan Godbey.

www.cleveland19.com

 

[GraceG]

Here is Mattay's Ohio offender registry which I found early one but didn't link as he wasn't named yet. He was on active probation when Ryan went missing. https://appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch/Search/Details/A804063

Details of most recent case resulting in probation here: (you can sign in as "guest" using cjis with no fee or registration) https://www.starkcjis.org/#/case/detail/CPC/2023CR1540

 

[truthfinder2019]

The relationship between Godbey and Mattay hasn't been confirmed by police, but his family and friends have identified Mattay as someone who Godbey dated.

In the early morning hours of June 20, Godbey sent his last known message to a friend.

The eerie text said that a man named Danny was "mad."

It's unclear if the Danny that Godbey was referring to was Daniel Mattay.

Missing person case takes a turn as man arrested with link to victim's last text

CHILLING new details have emerged in the search for 26-year-old Ryan Godbey after he vanished over two weeks ago. Daniel Mattay, 33, has been arrested and charged in connection with Godbey’s …

www.the-sun.com

R.I.P. Ryan :-(

 

[GraceG]

Here is a screenshot of the strangulation charages in 2023 for Mattay as part of a Domestic Violence case. The court notes are extensive and recent, Here's a snippet: The rest are at the CJIS website for stark county. https://www.starkcjis.org/#/home
DANIEL ZACHARY MATTAY
Assigned to Judge Heath in Stark County Common Pleas Court
Case No. 2023CR1540
Charges2919.25(A)(D)(3) [F4] DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Date of Birth Aug 5, 1991
Address 3752 DOTWOOD ST NW
NORTH CANTON, OH 44720
Case Status Found guilty on September 26th 2023.
Next Action
PC Hearing On Aug 5th, 2025
Sentence 1825 days probation.
DEFENDANT BOUND OVER FROM MASSILLON MUNICIPAL COURT, ON Jul 07, 2023
Jul 11, 2023
BINDOVER RECEIVED FROM MASSILLON MUNICIPAL COURT, 2023CRA01479; 2023CRB01480 2903.18B2 STRANGULATION F3 2919.25A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE M1 2903.21A AGGRAVATED MENACING M1
Jul 11, 2023
NOTICE OF BINDOVER SENT TO STARK COUNTY SHERIFF.
DEFENDANT DANIEL MATTAY ARRESTED ON June 28, 2023

 

[Bethan]

Saddened to hear this update

 

[dotr]

Jul 4, 2025
'As Canton police continue investigating the disappearance of 26-year-old Ryan Godbey, new details released early Friday show that 33-year-old Daniel Mattay now faces multiple charges connected to the case -- including murder.“Unfortunately, new evidence has led our agency to transition the case from a missing person to a homicide investigation,” according to a statement from Canton Police Chief John Gabbard. “While Mr. Godbey has not yet been located, the new evidence makes it clear that he is deceased and that Mr. Mattay is responsible.”As a result, Canton police say Mattay is now facing the following charges:

• Murder
• Felonious assault
• Strangulation
• Domestic violence'

Jul 4, 2025
Canton Police have charged a man with murder after the search for Ryan Godbey, a Canton man who was reported missing, turned into a homicide investigation, according to Chief John Gabbard.

 

[holtzmann]

Makes me sick. They didn't deserve this. They were so loved.

 

[Stunned]

Makes me sick. They didn't deserve this. They were so loved.

It never makes sense, nor should it.

 

[Vaderman]

Sorry to hear this update. I wonder if there was a confession that leads the authorities to be so confident in their charges.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

“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.

https://fox8.com/news/family-continues-search-for-missing-canton-man-now-considered-murder-victim/

 

[maamager]

Ryan Godbey murder suspect Daniel Mattay appears in Canton court: Judge increases bond to $1.5 million amid new charges

Mattay faces charges of murder, felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence in connection with Godbey's death.

www.wkyc.com

‘ “The court has become aware that since he was served with these warrants, he’s also been charged with attempt to escape and vandalism while at the Stark County Jail, which indicates to me a willingness not to appear in court," the judge declared.”

Bond set at $1.5M.

 

[maamager]

Court records detail blood-stained apartment in missing Canton man’s case

19 News obtained new details Tuesday in the disappearance of a missing Canton man now presumed dead.

www.cleveland19.com

“Police also said there was a flipped over glass table, and a neighbor reported hearing a loud argument with someone yelling, ‘he’s choking me.’

The neighbor did not call police.”

 

[MissMYB]

Court records detail blood-stained apartment in missing Canton man’s case

19 News obtained new details Tuesday in the disappearance of a missing Canton man now presumed dead.

www.cleveland19.com

“Police also said there was a flipped over glass table, and a neighbor reported hearing a loud argument with someone yelling, ‘he’s choking me.’

The neighbor did not call police.”

Ugh this is so frustrating . Why dont people call?????? Grrrrrrr