Left and Center: Johnny circa, 1990
Right: Age Progressed to age 26
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: September 21, 1990
Missing From: Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, Missouri
Classification: Endangered Runaway
Date Of Birth: October 17, 1976
Age: 13 years old
Height and Weight: 5’5″ and 108 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian Male, Brown hair, Brown eyes, Johnny has a scar with a length of 4 inches on his breastbone and a 1 inch scar on the left side of his chest, Johnny had gaps between his teeth at the time of his disappearance, he might use the other names of “Steve Johnson” and “Randi Smith” or “Stephen Johnson”
NCMEC Number: 753281
Details of Disappearance
Johnny Mills was last seen in Maryland Heights, Missouri on September 21st 1990. He was taken into police custody on suspicion of being a runaway. He was placed into Youth Emergency services in St. Louis, Missouri. The child was then moved to a children’s shelter on the said day of his disappearance. He gave social workers the name “Johnny Lee Mills” and said he had runaway from home.
The boy ran away from the shelter before his true identity could be confirmed. The name and information for Johnny Mills proved to be false. This identity, however, continues to accompany his missing persons status and various agencies list him as “Johnny Mills”.
Its possible that Johnny was a victim of a serial killer said to be in the area at the time he ran off. It’s possible there wasn’t a killer at all but various agencies state this. There were several unidentified victims of the killer and two of them for the description of Mills.
They cannot do a comparison because no relative of the boy was ever found. It’s quite possible after Mills left that he was reunited with his family who are still unknown to law enforcement. Many agencies say the theory is now false and that no serial killer was in the area at all.
Investigators believe Mills might have been a sex worker or prostitute because he talked about “working the truck stops”. This indicated he might have operated as such. Johnny has not been identified and his disappearance remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Maryland Heights Police Department 314-298-8700
Source Information