Matthew Ferris (Courtesy Iowa Department of Public Safety)
Matthew John Ferris, 20, was reported missing to the Des Moines Police Department on March 7, 1991.
Des Moines in Polk CountyFerris first disappeared from his hometown of Des Moines, Iowa, on July 25, 1990. He told his family he needed the day off work to help a friend move.
His father later discovered a note from Ferris at the family’s home, in which his son apologized for any pain his disappearance may cause his loved ones. Ferris returned to Iowa one week later, apparently frightened.
Ferris underwent psychiatric treatment for the next six months. He also enrolled at Iowa State University.
Ferris was last seen by his family in February 1991. He was behaving abnormally, and Ferris’ father stated that his son seemed to be exhibiting manic behavior and was happy, which was unlike Ferris’ character at the time.
After telling his family he was going to the movies, Ferris disappeared. He apparently headed to Custer State Park in South Dakota. His family believes that Ferris elected to travel to that destination because he enjoyed Native American folklore.
The family never heard from Ferris again and reported him missing on March 7, 1991.
Officials have categorized Ferris’s case as “Endangered/Physical,” meaning a person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating that his/her physical safety is in danger.
According to NamUs, dental information/charting is available and will be entered later. NamUs also indicated that fingerprint information is available elsewhere. (This as of NamUs report dated Feb. 27, 2018.)
If you have any information concerning Ferris’ whereabouts, please contact Sgt. Darren Cornwell of the Des Moines Police Department at (515) 283-4811.
Can’t they check dna through teeth Etc now?
They have to use a combination of DNA and genetic genealogy. The DNA gives them the genetic profile of the deceased individual. But they have to have something to compare that to. Yes, they could compare the DNA of the unidentified individual to that of Matthew’s family members. Otherwise, if they don’t have a potential match to compare to, they have to use genetic genealogy to trace the family of the deceased. Usually at best, they get a hit on a distant relative in a database of people whose DNA profiles have been voluntarily submitted.
Another possible match; I just submitted to the Doe Network: Victim found 3/7/1991 and matches Matthew’s height/weight. https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/7385/details?nav
Great find. That one looks really promising.
Doe Network says that the match has actually been submitted before, and that they forwarded the information to Law Enforcement. Clearly there was no follow up by LE, because Matthew is not in the list of exclusions for that unidentified person. A different organization (The DNA Doe Project) working on that case through genetic genealogy is checking into whether he could be a match for Matthew now.
Thanks for the update, Jenni. So many things match in this case, and the physical similarities are remarkable. I look forward to hearing whether there’s a match to Matthew. The “list of exclusions” you referenced is invaluable; it saves both researchers and investigators from running out the same lead and hitting the same dead end.
Can’t they use the dna found to identify the body
FYI, this individual was determined to be a missing person from St. Louis. One less John Doe out there now.
Oh gawsh thats sad. I try to read these each day and say a little prayer. Cant imagine how hard this is on a family.
Thanks Andy
I will pray this young man is found safe. God please be with this young man. I also pray for the family and friends. .amen!
It says that there is a new comment but I do not see it
Hi Pam, I am from Hoover too. This family has been through so much…Prayers for them, may God Bless them.
I never even got a reply.. here are the photos side by side though
C:\Users\froggzzz\Pictures\Picasa\Collages\Movies-001.jpg The 1972 would not make sense as he will be 45 in November of this year,. but what you are saying could be true… I emailed this photo (not sure if it wil post) to the DMPD and did not get any reply.
I wonder if anyone has looked into this: a public records search lists a Matthew Ferris in Idaho, age 45. Idaho courts online lists a case from 1998-1999 regarding a fish & wildlife charge against a Matthew J. Ferris, born in 1972. This would fit with someone traveling to and from state parks and perhaps illegally fishing or killing wildlife as a food source.
Did your information help? I can’t find any newspaper articles on him.
I actually have found information that may be helpful, waiting for return call
I have no idea about the reading and smoking cigarettes, sorry
As for the submission of the information to law enforcement, I never heard anything about this until I stumbled upon it here. I am curious. I wonder if I can call DMPD and ask where to ask about cold cases?
Was Matt an avid book reader? Did he smoke cigarettes?
Mr. Friendly, your post/question is very odd. What are your reasons for posting that question?
Seemed like every couple of years a boy or young man would vanish in Des Moines.
what a terrible thing to never know what happened.
Did anything ever come of this? I looked at the Doe Network case and agree there is a resemblance.
I went to high school with Matt, the only thing about that doe case that doesn’t make sense is the weight they says was 180, I think it would be hard for Matt to gain that much weight in any amount of time especially a few months, he was always slender. I wonder how correct the weight of 180lbs was, did they just guess by looking at the skeletal remains?
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/502umal.html
This site says 165-80, 165 is more “possible” dud anyone ever submit this “doe” info?
Yes, I submitted this potential match to the administrators of Doe Network after reading about it here last year. Someone else had already been submitted it prior, but I have no idea whether it was forwarded to law enforcement or if the match has been ruled out.
I emailed the DMPD with links to this page, and the two on the DoeNetwork along with a side by side of the photos.
that doe link above is from Alabama. and the doe’s pants were 33×34 10.5 shoes. the resemblance is almost spot on! I hope someone can reach the right
I think they based it on the clothing size jeans 34
Concerning the above case for Matthew John Ferris.
There is a case listed on the Doe Network that is of a man, matching Matt’s description who was found 6 months after Matt went missing. The interesting item which caught my eye was that the car they found of this young man’s was bought in North Dakota. His parents reported he had been in South Dakota. The age/height/weight are all possible matches and the hair/composite sketch seem to look alike.
The case number is: The Doe Network:
Case File 502UMAL
1 2
Reconstruction of Victim
Unidentified White Male
The victim was discovered on December 21, 1991 in Dekalb County, Alabama
Estimated Time of Death: August 1991
The man died from asphyxiation caused by hanging, which was ruled a suicide.
Skeletal Remains
Thought I would submit this possibility. Thanks for considering this and I hope it helps!
Thank you, Terri, for making us aware of the similarities. I couldn’t help but notice them as well, and have submitted the information to the IA Dept. of Public Safety for review. Thank you for taking the time to alert us!
Well, the answer is finally in on 502UMAL. They are not Matthew. The remains have been identified as Rainbow Canyon King. https://times-journal.com/news/article_ecb82152-d4cc-11ee-974d-23c4f964df18.html