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.

[Vaderman]

Loved ones gather in Canton to celebrate Ryan 'JJ' Godbey's life

'My hopes are first and foremost that they bring Ryan home and I think, in the end, justice.'

www.wkyc.com

CANTON, Ohio — More than a hundred people packed the Canton Palace Theater Tuesday evening to remember Ryan "JJ" Godbey.

Their name was prominently displayed on the marquee — a sign friends say Ryan would love.

 

[The Zookeeper]

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.

EnigmaticEpiphany, so glad you are okay! That must have been terrifying.

 

[dotr]

Jul 29, 2025
'More than a hundred people packed the Canton Palace Theater Tuesday evening to remember Ryan "JJ" Godbey.Their name was prominently displayed on the marquee — a sign friends say Ryan would love."Anybody, anybody that really knows Ryan, knows he's the star, he's the light of the room, he's bringing the character to every event he's going to," said Tomie Payne.The 26-year-old was reported missing on June 22. Less than 2 weeks later, Canton police arrested Ryan's roommate, Daniel Mattay, on charges of murder, felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence charges in connection with Ryan's death.Investigators say Mattay has not told them what happened to Ryan, but the Canton Police Chief said evidence makes it clear that Ryan is deceased and that Mattay is responsible.'

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Family of missing man, Ryan Godbey, offers $15,000 to help find his remains

Each button hanging from a necklace worn by Jackie Godbey has pictures and precious memories of her son, Ryan Godbey.

www.news5cleveland.com

*****
Meanwhile, six weeks after Ryan was reported missing, his family still has no idea where his body is.

A family reward that stood at $10,000 has been increased to $15,000 for information that helps find Ryan.

*****
Jackie said not knowing where her son is located is the stuff nightmares are made of.

"Where is he? Is there water? Is there dumpsters? What is involved with what they did?" Jackie said. "We don't know what they did. Your imagination takes the worst of you."

Jackie said Ryan's drag queen name was JJ. The family has created the Ryan JJ Godbey Memorial Fund. Money raised will be used to honor Ryan and keep his memory alive.

*****

 

[dotr]

Aug 5, 2025
Each button hanging from a necklace worn by Jackie Godbey has pictures and precious memories of her son, Ryan Godbey.

 

[Vaderman]

3News Investigates exclusive: Inside the evidence in the Ryan Godbey murder case in Canton

A bloody apartment and dumpster. Empty bleach bottles and gloves near the prime suspect. The findings that led to murder charges.

www.wkyc.com

CANTON, Ohio — Newly released police investigative reports obtained by 3News Investigatesreveal disturbing details about the final night of Ryan Godbey, the 26-year-old Canton drag performer whose disappearance in June led to murder charges against Godbey's former boyfriend.

The documents, which provide the most comprehensive timeline yet of events surrounding Godbey's presumed death, show a trail of evidence stretching from a Canton nightclub to an apartment complex dumpster, culminating in crucial findings against the prime suspect involving bleach bottles, latex gloves, and a freshly cleaned van.

 

[dotr]

Aug 20, 2025
'Newly released police investigative reports obtained by 3News Investigates reveal disturbing details about the final night of Ryan Godbey, the 26-year-old Canton drag performer whose disappearance in June led to murder charges against Godbey's former boyfriend.The documents, which provide the most comprehensive timeline yet of events surrounding Godbey's presumed death, show a trail of evidence stretching from a Canton nightclub to an apartment complex dumpster, culminating in crucial findings against the prime suspect involving bleach bottles, latex gloves, and a freshly cleaned van.'

 

[maamager]

JJ has been found. I hope that the discovery offers a modicum of peace to family and friends that loved them.

Body found in Stark County woods identified as Ryan Godbey

Police confirmed the body found in a remote wooded area on July 23 was positively identified as Ryan Godbey, the 26-year-old man who was reported missing the month before.

www.cleveland19.com

 

[iamshadow21]

JJ has been found. I hope that the discovery offers a modicum of peace to family and friends that loved them.

Body found in Stark County woods identified as Ryan Godbey

Police confirmed the body found in a remote wooded area on July 23 was positively identified as Ryan Godbey, the 26-year-old man who was reported missing the month before.

www.cleveland19.com

I am so glad their family and friends get that closure, and get to bury them with dignity.

Rest in power, JJ.

 

[dotr]

Oct 20, 2025
''The Canton Police Department says investigators have recovered and identified the remains of 26-year-old Ryan Godbey, months after the Canton resident was first reported missing.According to police, investigators, assisted by agents from the Canton FBI office, found human remains on July 23 while searching a remote wooded area in southern Stark County. On Monday, Oct. 20, DNA testing by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation confirmed the remains belonged to Godbey, who was last seen in June.Godbey was reported missing by family members on June 22. Police later charged Godbey's ex-boyfriend, 34-year-old Daniel Mattay of Canton, with murder. He was indicted by a Stark County grand jury on Aug. 27 and remains in custody at the Stark County Jail.Mattay faces multiple charges, including:Murder Felonious assaultStrangulationDomestic violenceTampering with evidenceGross abuse of a corpsePolice say the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Canton Police Detective Bureau at 330-489-3144 or the communications center at 330-649-5800. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Tip411 or Stark County Crime Stoppers.READ MORE: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/loc...''

 

[iamshadow21]

Oct 20, 2025
''The Canton Police Department says investigators have recovered and identified the remains of 26-year-old Ryan Godbey, months after the Canton resident was first reported missing.According to police, investigators, assisted by agents from the Canton FBI office, found human remains on July 23 while searching a remote wooded area in southern Stark County. On Monday, Oct. 20, DNA testing by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation confirmed the remains belonged to Godbey, who was last seen in June.Godbey was reported missing by family members on June 22. Police later charged Godbey's ex-boyfriend, 34-year-old Daniel Mattay of Canton, with murder. He was indicted by a Stark County grand jury on Aug. 27 and remains in custody at the Stark County Jail.Mattay faces multiple charges, including:Murder Felonious assaultStrangulationDomestic violenceTampering with evidenceGross abuse of a corpsePolice say the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Canton Police Detective Bureau at 330-489-3144 or the communications center at 330-649-5800. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Tip411 or Stark County Crime Stoppers.READ MORE: https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/loc...''

I'm wondering why on earth it took them so darn long to test their DNA. They had JJ's family for comparison. The grand jury indictment came and went while JJ was in cold store as a Doe. Not good enough. The family could have buried them little over a month after they were killed. Instead, we're most of the way through October.

MOO

 

[Valiant]

I'm wondering why on earth it took them so darn long to test their DNA. They had JJ's family for comparison. The grand jury indictment came and went while JJ was in cold store as a Doe. Not good enough. The family could have buried them little over a month after they were killed. Instead, we're most of the way through October.

MOO

Unlike on TV, DNA isn't instantaneous. Many agencies have large backlogs, sadly. It's probably been in a queue since July.

 

[iamshadow21]

Unlike on TV, DNA isn't instantaneous. Many agencies have large backlogs, sadly. It's probably been in a queue since July.

I'm aware of that, it's the fact that this was a homicide case that was actively going to a grand jury to move it forward to trial. They must have known there was a strong likelihood that this Doe was JJ. And there are other ways than DNA. Dental records, for example.

MOO