The Gahanna Division of Police is actively searching for 34-year-old Bruce Alan Howell, who was reported missing by his family after he left his home on July 14, 2025. Howell’s vehicle was discovered abandoned on Cozzins Street near West Spring Street in Columbus, Ohio, approximately five miles from his Gahanna residence.
According to the official missing person report, Howell is a Black male, 6’1″ tall, weighing approximately 200 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. The Gahanna Division of Police is asking anyone with information regarding Howell’s whereabouts to contact them at 614-342-4240.
Missing Person Case Adds to Central Ohio Statistics
Howell’s disappearance occurs in a region that has seen significant missing person activity. According to NBC4, Franklin County, which encompasses both Columbus and Gahanna, reported the highest number of missing children cases in Ohio during 2024, with 2,792 cases. Overall, 21,342 people were reported missing statewide in 2024, according to WOSU Public Media.
The Columbus Division of Police Missing Persons Unit maintains an active caseload and works in conjunction with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Ohio Attorney General’s Missing Children Clearinghouse. The department reports a recovery rate between 96% and 99%, though this includes cases where missing persons are found deceased.
Location Details and Ongoing Investigation
The discovery of Howell’s vehicle on Cozzins Street places the case in downtown Columbus, near the Discovery District area. Cozzins Street intersects with West Spring Street in the vicinity of Columbus State Community College, as indicated by the college’s directional information. This location is approximately five miles southwest of Gahanna, where Howell was last seen…