CLEVELAND (WJW) — The mystery surrounding the disappearance of a Brooklyn Heights father of three nearly one year ago reached a heartbreaking conclusion this week.
The remains of 38-year-old Calvin Jones were found in a ravine in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood.
“I love my baby, I love my baby. He was the heart of our family,” Jones’ mother, Donna Ayers, said as she wept on Friday night.
According to Ayers, she was alerted by authorities on Thursday after the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office used dental records to identify the remains that were found by Cleveland police in the ravine along Cannon Avenue near East 91st Street.
The discovery ended a year-long crusade by Jones’ family to find out what happened to the 38-year-old known as “Bub.”
“It is shock, closure, rage. Our emotions are crazy right now, but closure is the biggest thing because now I know where my baby is,” said Ayers.
The family said the last time Jones was seen alive was on the night of August 20, 2024, at a Georgio’s Pizza shop on Harvard Avenue in Cleveland. He worked there as a delivery driver.
Over the past year, the family turned to FOX 8’s Amanda Berry, who profiled the case of Jones several times on her missing person segment.
The family also organized regular searches for their loved one and responded to every tip and potential lead.
“Oh my God, it’s crazy. Every time a body that was found, we were calling the coroner. Every time there’s a body, we’re calling, we’re searching. Every tip we get, we’re out there,” said Ayers.
They searched many areas of Slavic Village. At times, they were very close to the ravine on Cannon Avenue, where the remains of Jones were found on Tuesday afternoon.
“We were real close, but we did not look on that street. If I would have gone around the corner, I would have seen my baby,” his mother said.
The medical examiner’s office has not yet revealed what caused his death.
His family said they have been told that valuables, including his wallet and debit card, were found on his remains in the ravine.
However, they also note that his car, a 2011 Chevy Impala, has not been found.
“Someone very close to him did this because you’re not going to get close enough to him to impact him like that,” Ayers said.
The grieving mother said she will now focus all her energy on finding out how her son lost his life and identifying those who may be responsible.
“I’m coming at you. I’m coming for you because you threw him away like garbage. No, I’m coming,” said Ayers.
Anyone with information about the death is asked to call the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit at 216-623-5464 or contact Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County.
