The disappearance and subsequent death of Clifford Eli Moss, known to his friends and family as Eli, remains one of the most perplexing cold cases in Ottawa County.
Eli, a 25-year-old resident of Wyandotte, vanished on June 30, 2017, under mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a grieving community.
Eli was last seen on the evening of June 30, 2017, wearing only a pair of shorts and sandals. He had left his family home for a walk, a routine activity that should have seen him return shortly. However, Eli never came back.
His sudden disappearance sparked a frantic search by family, friends, and local authorities, but no immediate clues were found.
The case took a grim turn in July 2017 when a property owner in Ottawa County discovered a human skull in their driveway. The discovery prompted a thorough search of the surrounding area, leading to the recovery of additional remains.
Despite the efforts of investigators and the use of cadaver dogs, a complete skeleton was never found. The remains were sent to the Oklahoma Medical Examiner's office, and in September 2017, they were positively identified as those of Eli Moss.
The autopsy revealed no discernible trauma to the remains, leaving the cause of Eli's death a mystery. The lack of evidence at the scene suggested that Eli might not have been killed where his remains were found, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.
Eli's disappearance and death have left a lasting impact on the community. Born on March 3, 1992, Eli was a beloved son, brother, and friend. He was known for his kind heart and gentle nature, making his untimely death all the more tragic. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office continues to treat the case as a homicide, with investigators conducting interviews and following leads in hopes of finding answers.
"We are treating it as a homicide until we can rule it further," Sheriff Jeremy Floyd said at the timke. "We currently have investigators looking into the case. We'll get a cause of death as far as you know trying to find some closure for the family."
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information regarding the death of Clifford Eli Moss to come forward.
Tips can be submitted by calling the Sheriff's Office at (918) 542-2806.
