Demetrius Elder, 20, disappeared from Dallas on September 27, 1997. He was last seen at a Dryden Avenue residence with a friend, Demerick Walker; the two left together in Elder’s pickup truck, which was later found abandoned in Lancaster, Texas. Elder had recently received a $30,000 settlement after lead contamination at a West Dallas smelter and planned to invest the money in a business promoting rap music.

After he vanished a safety deposit box at his residence was found empty, and family members suspect someone close to Elder may have taken advantage of his settlement. Weeks later Elder’s brother got a threatening phone call warning he would end up dead like Elder if he continued to mess with the caller’s business, which increased concerns about foul play. Police list Elder as endangered missing and continue to seek information.

If anyone knew Elder, his plans, associates, or saw the pickup truck after September 27, 1997, please share what is known.