JJ Godbey
Age 2619 Jun 2025
Canton, Ohio (USA)
Murdered
TDoR list ref: tgeu/tdor2025/19-Jun-2025/JJ Godbey
JJ was reported missing on 19th June. Several weeks later police charged their boyfriend with homicide.
Editor's Note: As there are conficting reports of how JJ identified, gender neutral pronouns are used in this report.
Last week, we reported on the disappearance of a 26 year old trans drag artist from Canton, Ohio. Sadly, police have now determined this is a homicide investigation.
Canton police announced late Thursday that the disappearance of JJ Godbey is now a homicide investigation. They’ve charged Daniel Mattay, Ryan’s former boyfriend, with four felonies: murder, felonious assault, strangulation and domestic violence.“New evidence has led our agency to transition the case from a missing person to a homicide investigation,” Canton Police Chief John Gabbard wrote in a news release. “While [JJ] Godbey has not yet been located, the new evidence makes it clear that [they are] deceased and that Mr. Mattay is responsible.”
I cannot begin to imagine how JJ’s family and friends are coping with these developments, waiting for someone to find them. That’s an ‘in between’ space of such heartbreak.
Note: There are conflicting reports on how JJ identified. I will default to gender nonconforming (GNC) as a broad category and use they/them pronouns as well as the name JJ Godbey. The tragedy is that this young beautiful soul was robbed of life by someone they trusted, maybe loved. We should honor their identity, of course, but until that becomes more clear – and I don’t know how that could happen – I’m choosing to honor them in this way.
JJ was born and raised in the Canton, Ohio area. They graduated from Massillon Washington High School in 2017. Their social media lists Mariah Carey and Lady Gaga as favorites along with Pink and Ciara. JJ was also a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their page lists a wide range of movies they enjoyed.
JJ was very popular in the regional LGBTQ community – supporting causes and local businesses as well as standing with the victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting and supporting transgender rights. JJ was considered an excellent makeup artist, was named to homecoming court in high school and may have been in the band.
A few weeks before their disappearance, they shared a desire to take sewing lessons to make costumes. Prior to that, they expressed interest in learning how to tend bar.
JJ gave their first drag performance in September 2024. On their TikTok, they shared a video saying their interest in drag started very early.
Rest in power, Jj. Your beautiful and generous spirit changed your community. I am sorry violence stole your life as you just got started. I hope the overwhelming number of people who came looking for you is a source of comfort. They will always come looking. That’s our promise to you.
May your memory be a revolution.
In October 2025 authorities confirmed that partial remains found in July belonged to JJ.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/ryan-godbey-supporters-rally-canton-165137283.html
https://www.pghlesbian.com/2025/07/26-year-old-drag-artist-missing-from-canton-ohio/
