William Dale Cunningham was 27 when he disappeared in September 1981. He co-owned the A&W Drive-In on the 600 block of North College Avenue in Bloomington, Indiana, but police say he also dealt in marijuana, hashish, and cocaine in the South Bend area. Investigators believe that side of his life is tied to his disappearance.

Cunningham left Bloomington alone on September 18, 1981, reportedly heading to South Bend to visit friends. He last made a phone call from Pierceton, Indiana, on September 21; who he called is not known. He was believed to be carrying between $30,000 and $40,000, money police thought was intended for a large drug buy.

Weeks later his black and silver 1978 Lincoln Continental (Indiana plate 53A5926) was found abandoned in a Fort Wayne grocery store parking lot. The car had been unlocked and sat there for a month before being towed; a citizens band radio and a radar detector were missing, prompting investigators to consider the vehicle stolen and dumped.

Cunningham’s business partner from the A&W and that partner’s roommate, Peter Mustak, disappeared from view after Cunningham vanished; police wanted to question the partner but were unable to locate him. The Indiana State Police maintain the case file and the family remains without answers. Did anyone who knew Bill, his partner, or their associates have information about his movements in September 1981?