Ruiz was last seen in Carbon Hill, Alabama on January 13, 2011. He saw his girlfriend that day and gave her money to put minutes on his cellular phone and buy things at the grocery story. He has never been heard from again. Several days after his disappearance, two hunters found his phone in a wooded area in Marion County, Alabama. Other items belongings to him were found in Lamar County, Alabama.

It's uncharacteristic of Ruiz to leave without warning. His girlfriend was six months pregnant with his son at the time of his disappearance, and his family said he was excited about becoming a father. Investigators stated they had a person of interest in his case, someone who dropped out of sight at the same time Ruiz did but was not reported missing. Foul play is suspected in Ruiz's disappearance, which remains unsolved.