Herbert Henry Strickland, known as J.R., was 38 when he vanished from outside his home on Carolina Bay Road in Laurinburg, North Carolina, on the evening of December 18, 2018. He was last seen getting into a dark-colored SUV, possibly a GMC Yukon Denali, wearing plaid or flannel pajamas, a white thermal shirt and slipper-style sandals. Witnesses reported multiple gunshots shortly after he entered the vehicle, and Herbert has not been seen or heard from since.

Investigators quickly treated the case as a homicide. A vehicle tied to one identified suspect was later found burned and abandoned on McRainey Road in St. Pauls; forensic processing with assistance from the FBI and SBI reportedly recovered essential evidence. Four suspects and two persons of interest were identified; two of the four suspects later confessed that Herbert was shot and killed and that his body was disposed of in an unknown location. Authorities believe his remains may be in Scotland County, Robeson County or possibly Marlboro County, South Carolina.

Anyone who knew Herbert, saw the dark SUV on December 18, 2018, or has information about where he might have been taken is asked to come forward.