Foul play suspected as Tiffin missing person case reaches 1 year

TIFFIN — One year has passed since Leonard C. Nye was reported missing from his North Sandusky Street home, and the questions surrounding his disappearance continue to weigh on the community. Nye, 73, is described as a white man, 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. His clothing description is unknown. Family members reported him missing in September 2024, but investigators believe he had been gone for months by then. Nye was described by police as "somewhat estranged from many family members," and those who came forward said they had not spoken to him in several months. His landlord also told police he had not seen Nye since June. Now, police say they've been able to establish a clearer timeline. "The last confirmed contact with Mr. Nye was April of 2024," said Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly. "Unfortunately, after that point, there is no verified communication or sighting of him before he was reported missing in September. We have confirmed that Mr. Nye's disappearance likely began sometime in April/May." Police believe Nye's disappearance began at his North Sandusky Street residence. When officers entered the home, they found no signs of forced entry — but what they did find raised concern. "Certain aspects of the residence raised concern for investigators," Pauly said. "Some findings inside the residence were not consistent with what we would expect in a voluntary disappearance." Several items from the home were submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for forensic testing. Pauly said those results have helped guide the case, though specifics are being withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation. From the beginning, police treated Nye's disappearance as suspicious. Today, they are even more certain. "The totality of the evidence leans toward the likelihood that Mr. Nye's disappearance involved foul play rather than a voluntary act," Pauly said. Over the past year, detectives have pursued dozens of leads and continue to receive new ones. A person who may have relevant information has been identified and interviewed, though Pauly declined to provide further details. Multiple Tiffin detectives remain assigned to the case, working alongside the Seneca County Sheriff's Office, Fostoria Police and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Despite the extensive effort, Nye has not been found. For Pauly, the case remains a priority. According to the Ohio Attorney General's Office, more than 340 adults are currently listed as missing across the state. The information is derived from the National Crime Information Center via the investigating agency's initial reporting. "What we need most is information," Pauly said. "We firmly believe there are individuals who know more than they have shared. Even the smallest detail could be the key to advancing this case." The department emphasized its continued commitment to the investigation, noting the impact on both Nye's family and the wider community. "Beyond the work of our detectives, we know there is a family that has been left without answers, and a community that has felt this loss for the past year," the department said in a statement. "Our commitment is unwavering — we want to bring Mr. Nye home to his loved ones." Anyone with information that may help in this investigation or lead to Nye's whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Rachel Stafford at 419-447-2323, ext. 1121.