Eric Daniel Minnis

Date of Last Contact: May 31, 1984

Location of Disappearance: Purcell, Oklahoma

Physical Characteristics: 6′ 0″ tall, 165 pounds, 25 year old, Cheyenne and Arapaho male with black hair and dark brown eyes.

Last Seen Wearing: t-shirt and jeans.

Investigating Agency: McClain County Sheriff’s Office

(405) 527-2141

Eric Daniel Minnis was last seen by his family in 1984. At the time of his disappearance Eric was 25-years-old. He was 6’0” and 165 lbs. Eric was Cheyenne and Arapaho, with black hair and brown eyes.

On September 8th, 2017, Eric’s sister, Mary filed with the United States Department of the Interior for a Presumption of Death in Eric’s disappearance. There was an order of Dismissal Without Prejudices issued by Indian Probate Judge (IPJ). Mary filed with the Board of Indian Appeals on October 17, 2017. The judge found there was insufficient evidence to substantiate a presumption of death determination. They stated that Eric’s social security number had been used under two other names and this raised the possibility that Eric could still be alive and living under one or both of these names.

There is a theory that Eric was gay and died in California during the AIDs epidemic in the 1980’s. He also used the name Ronald Gene Smoker. We have him at an address in Seattle from 1983-1986. Eric went to school in Newcastle, Oklahoma.

If you have any information on Eric’s disappearance or possible whereabouts, please contact either the McClain County Sheriff’s Office at (405) 527-2141, or the Bureau of Indian Affairs – District II at (405) 603-1573.