Roland Wayne Lucas was 29 when he vanished from the Little Shepherd Trail area on July 23, 1994. He had gone into the woods near the Harlan–Letcher county line with a friend to look for ginseng and became separated from that companion; he was never seen or heard from again.

Lucas is described as a white male with blond hair and green eyes. Distinctive marks include tattoos — a parakeet on his right forearm, the word Crook on his right upper arm, and a bulldog on his chest — plus scars on his upper right shoulder, chin, left leg, and left arm. He was last seen wearing white jogging pants, a black baseball cap, black work boots, and a necklace with a cross that had a diamond in it.

Searches by law enforcement, family, friends, and community volunteers produced no significant leads. Theories have included accident, medical emergency, or foul play, but no resolution has been reached and the investigation remains open. If anyone saw Roland on July 23, 1994, or has information about the Little Shepherd Trail that day, please share what is known.