Jerry Wayne Lackey was 36 when he vanished from Roebuck, Alabama, after a visit with his sister and brother-in-law on July 29, 1985. That day he handed his brother-in-law three letters saying he intended to end his own life, emptied a backpack to show a sawed-off 20-gauge shotgun, a .357 magnum revolver, a trenching tool, and a drawing that resembled a cave or mine, then walked away and was never seen again.

He lived with his mother and had sold his belongings, leaving the money to her. In notes he said he planned to walk into remote woods near the St. Clair/Jefferson County line, spend two days alone, dig his own grave, and take his life, asking that his body never be found. His silver 1982 Chevrolet pickup was found abandoned on Weaver Avenue in St. Clair County near Interstate 20; searches including bloodhounds turned up no trace. He was described as a white male, dark blond hair, blue eyes, 6 feet 2 inches, about 160 pounds, with one crooked finger from a machete accident, wearing a light and dark brown plaid shirt and blue jeans when last seen.

Investigators believe he is deceased, but no body has ever been recovered. If anyone knew Jerry, his movements in late July 1985, or has information about the woods near the St. Clair/Jefferson County line, please come forward.