Left and Center: Russell circa, 1982
Right: Age Progressed to age 39
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: May 5, 1982
Missing From: Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: September 4, 1979
Age: 2 years old
Height and Weight: 3’0″ and 30 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian Male, Brown hair, Brown eyes, Russell has a small cleft in his chin and a small mole on the left side of his chin, he had a chipped tooth at the time of his 1982 disappearance, he may use the nickname “Russie”
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A faded brown plaid sunshine over an old shirt, and beige knee socks
NCMEC Number: 603374
Details of Disappearance
Russell Mort was last seen in Niagara Falls, New York on May 5th 1982. He was last seen playing in the backyard of his home at Lynch’s Trailer Park located on River Road. He was last seen at approximately 12:20 pm.
His mother went inside the home to fix a broken toy that belonged to Russell. She was gone for a very brief moment of time and when she returned outside, the child was gone. The gated fence was still locked from the outside. He was never seen or heard from again.
Authorities believe that it’s possible Mort was abducted. They stated they have an unidentified couple wanted for questioning in regards to Russell’s disappearance. They were spotted in the area at the same time that Mort disappeared. No one witnesses them interact with the child and it’s unknown if they were involved in Russell’s possible abduction.
The woman in the couple is described as a white female, had dark curly brown hair, and was in her early to mid 20s in 1982. The man in the couple is described as being a white male, he had light brown hair as well as a mustache, he was in his late 20s in 1982. The couple were last seen driving a white 1965 or older Corvette with a black convertible top. They were last spotted in the area of Hyde Park Boulevard and Packer Road.
Some authorities do not believe that Mort was even abducted but rather that he had climbed over the fence of his backyard and fell into the Niagara River. He had climbed the fence the previous day so it’s considered he did so again on the day he vanished. The river ran 100 yards behind his home. There is no evidence pointing towards the river or abduction theory.
A man did once come forward stating he may be the missing boy after he’d seen the child’s case featured on a missing persons program in 2005. He was suspicious of his past because his parents were very evasive when it came to him asking about it. DNA excluded the possibility.
Russell’s disappearance remains unsolved and no trace of him has been found.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Niagara County Sheriffs Department 716-439-9327
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children