Montey Donell Thomas, known as Duke, was 45 when he was last seen in Columbia, South Carolina, on November 20, 2014. He was at Rick’s Party Shop on Bluff Road and, after his cell phone died, used the store phone to call his mother several times for a ride. He left the shop alone on foot after being unable to reach her. He did not own a vehicle.

At the time he vanished he wore white painter’s pants or overalls, a black hooded sweatshirt, gray sneakers, and a blue knit Dallas Cowboys cap. A distinctive scar was on his left cheek. He never picked up his final paycheck from work as a self-employed painter, and going out of touch with his close family was said to be out of character.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department was notified and later the Cold Case Unit became involved; investigators have suggested foul play may be a factor, a view shared by his family. Rumors and misinformation have complicated the investigation, and the central question of what happened to Montey after he walked away from the party shop remains unresolved.

If anyone knew Montey, saw him that night, or has information that could help, please share what is known with investigators.