Walter E. Culp, Jr., 32, disappeared from the Mississippi River near Crystal City, Missouri, during a July 2009 boat outing. The boat’s outboard motor failed and the pair were using a trolling motor when a violent thunderstorm with heavy lightning moved in. According to the lone witness on the boat, a lightning strike may have occurred and Walter fell overboard; he was not seen again.

His wife received two silent calls from his cell phone around 5:56 p.m., and was later told at 6:12 p.m. by the friend that Walter had been struck by lightning and was missing. Search efforts by the Missouri State Water Patrol and others found no trace; the 1982 Alweld Utility boat was recovered. Investigators say the friend has been cooperative and is not considered a suspect. The official theory is that Walter drowned after the possible lightning strike, but no body has been located and key details remain unresolved.

Did anyone on the river that evening or who knew Walter then notice anything that could help explain what happened?