Mom Still Searching for Answers 32 Years After Son's Unsolved Murder

Leon Ellison disappeared on his 17th birthday in 1994, his body later found in the woods miles from his abandoned car.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:56pm

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In 1994, 17-year-old Leon Ellison disappeared on his birthday in Augusta, Georgia. His car was found days later at a mall, but his body was discovered weeks later in a wooded area. Despite dozens of interviews and polygraph tests, no one has ever been charged in his murder. His mother, Leomie Blocker, continues to search for answers over three decades later, believing her son may have simply been trying to help someone when he was killed.

Why it matters

This tragic cold case highlights the lasting pain and unanswered questions that families face when a loved one is murdered, especially when the perpetrator is never found. It also raises concerns about unsolved crimes and the need for continued investigation, even decades later, to provide closure for victims' families.

The details

On March 29, 1994, Leon Ellison turned 17 years old. After dropping his mother off at work, he planned to go to the Regency Mall and then have a job interview at an Applebee's. However, he never returned to pick up his mother from work, and his car was found days later parked in its usual spot at the mall, indicating it had been moved and then returned. Nearly two weeks after his disappearance, Leon's body was discovered in a wooded area miles from the mall, and investigators determined he had been shot and killed. Despite numerous interviews and polygraph tests, no arrests have ever been made in the case.

  • On March 29, 1994, Leon Ellison turned 17 years old.
  • Later that day, Leon dropped his mother off at work and planned to go to the Regency Mall and then have a job interview.
  • Leon never returned to pick up his mother from work.
  • Days later, Leon's car was found parked in its usual spot at the Regency Mall.
  • Nearly two weeks after his disappearance, Leon's body was discovered in a wooded area.

The players

Leon Ellison

A 17-year-old who disappeared and was later found murdered in 1994.

Leomie Blocker

Leon Ellison's mother, who continues to search for answers over 32 years later.

Richmond County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency investigating Leon Ellison's unsolved murder case.

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What they’re saying

“He polygraphed 50 people. He talked to a whole lot of people. But after it went out of his hands, nobody seen him.”

— Leomie Blocker, Leon Ellison's mother

“Leon was the kind of kid, he would give a person a ride. And they decided to hurt him.”

— Leomie Blocker, Leon Ellison's mother

“He was a respectful young man. Yeah, the investigator that worked on the case said, Leon was like non-existent as far as trouble goes, because he didn't have any kind of reputation, bad reputation at all.”

— Leomie Blocker, Leon Ellison's mother

What’s next

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate Leon Ellison's unsolved murder case, and they are asking anyone with information to come forward.

The takeaway

This tragic cold case highlights the lasting pain and unanswered questions that families face when a loved one is murdered, especially when the perpetrator is never found. It underscores the need for continued investigation and community support to provide closure for victims' families, even decades later.