William Vern Downey, known as Billy, was 12 when he vanished from his Seattle home in the spring of 1987. On the evening of May 8 he left a note for his mother saying he would spend the night at a friend’s house, and he never returned. When the friend reported Billy had not shown up, alarm grew and an active search began.

Billy had blond hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a striped shirt, white sneakers and a gold chain. Distinctive features included a scar on his left nostril, another scar near his right eye, a chipped upper left front tooth, and a pierced left ear. Investigators were told he sometimes associated with people considerably older than him, and a witness later reported seeing him get into a large white car, possibly a 1974 or 1975 Chevrolet Impala, that was unfamiliar to the neighborhood.

The King County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and the case remains unresolved. If anyone knew Billy, his activities that week, or saw a large white Chevrolet Impala in the area on May 8, 1987, please come forward with information.