The person at the center of this case
Jonathan Anthony Holmes
Missing Person · Open
29 years waiting · since 1997
Missing Person: Jonathan Anthony Holmes
Justice for Jonathan Anthony Holmes — the trail went cold in 1997, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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vehicle
Lead #1Why was the 1986 black Ford Explorer completely burned? Was this an accident or intentional destruction of evidence?
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timeline
Lead #2What happened between when Jonathan left Allen University and when his vehicle was found burned on I-26 that same night?
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location
Lead #3Why was the burned vehicle found in Dorchester County when Jonathan was traveling to Charleston? Does this indicate a detour or struggle?
Jonathan Anthony Holmes, a 28-year-old Allen University student, disappeared on March 7, 1997, while traveling from Columbia to Charleston, South Carolina. His vehicle, a 1986 black Ford Explorer, was found completely burned near the Jedburg exit on I-26 in Dorchester County that same night, raising serious questions about what happened during his journey. Despite the discovery of his burned vehicle, Jonathan's whereabouts remain unknown nearly three decades later, and investigators continue to seek information about the circumstances of his disappearance.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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evidence
Lead #4Were there any remains or forensic evidence recovered from the burned vehicle that could identify what happened to Jonathan?
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witness
Lead #5Did anyone see Jonathan or his black Ford Explorer on I-26 between Columbia and Dorchester County on March 7, 1997?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP53472. Missing person: Jonathan Anthony Holmes.
Last known contact: 1997-03-07 in Columbia, Richland, SC. Circumstances: Jonathan Anthony Holmes was last seen on March 7, 1997 leaving Allen University in Columbia.
He was a student there and he was enroute to Charleston in order to pick up his sister and mother. His vehicle, a 1986 black Ford Explorer, was found completely burned in Dorchester County that night around 2200.
It was near the Jedburg exit (# 194) off of I-26. He was not reported missing to CPD until March 13, 1997.
Demographics: 28 years, Male, Black / African American. Physical description: 6 ft 2 in, 230 lbs, hair: Black, eyes: Brown.
Investigating agency: Columbia Police Department | 97-8876 | 1997-03-13.
Timeline of Events
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1997-03-07
Last Seen Leaving Allen University
Jonathan Anthony Holmes was last seen leaving Allen University in Columbia, enroute to Charleston to pick up his sister and mother.
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1997-03-07
22:00Vehicle Found Burned
His 1986 black Ford Explorer was found completely burned near Jedburg exit #194 off I-26 in Dorchester County.
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1997-03-13
Missing Person Report Filed
Jonathan was reported missing to Columbia Police Department, six days after his disappearance.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:March 7, 1997
Last Updated:October 16, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:March 7, 1997
Last Updated:October 16, 2026