James Renner (born March 30, 1978) is an American author, investigative journalist, producer, and director. He worked as a reporter for Cleveland Scene and was editor of the alternative newspaper The Cleveland Independent. He is known for his work in the thriller, science fiction, and true crime genres. In 2019, Renner founded The Porchlight Project, a nonprofit dedicated to offering support for the families of the missing and murdered. Early life and education Renner is from Akron, Ohio, and is a 2000 graduate of Kent State University. He worked as a reporter for Cleveland Scene and was the editor of the alternative newspaper The Cleveland Independent. He was also a founding member of Last Call Cleveland, a sketch comedy troupe. Journalism and nonfiction In 2003, Renner began working as a reporter for Cleveland Scene and was editor of the alternative newspaper, The Cleveland Independent. At Cleveland Scene, he investigated the cases of Tina Harmon and Amy Mihaljevic. Harmon was a 12-year-old girl who disappeared from Creston, Ohio in 1981. After pressure from her family, authorities tested DNA evidence found on Harmon's body with new technology in 2008. In 2010, the tests linked Harmon's death to Robert Anthony Buell, a convicted murderer sentenced to death for the 1982 murder of Krista Lea Harrison. Although he was executed for Harrison's death in 2002, Buell was never tried or convicted of Harmon's murder. In 2005, Renner published a Cleveland Scene cover story revisiting the 1989 abduction and death of 10-year-old Amy Mihaljevic from Bay Village, Ohio. Renner credits Mihaljevic's death for his work in true crime; he became dedicated to finding her killer. On August 8, 2006, Renner began a blog chronicling his investigation of Mihaljevic's murder. Later that year, he published Amy: My Search for her Killer. In 2007, Renner donated his materials related to his search to Kent State University's Special Collections Archive. In January 2011, Renner announced his plans to delve into the disappearance of Maura Murray, a nursing student who went missing after a car accident in Haverhill, New Hampshire. His book on the case, True Crime Addict, was published in May 2016. Following the release of True Crime Addict, Renner archived his blog. In June 2017, Universal TV purchased the rights to create a television show based on True Crime Addict. The show, written by Richard Price, is being produced by Johnny Depp. In May, 2018, Renner released