Ernest Lee Franklin, 57, disappeared from his home in the 1600 block of Audrey Lane in Shreveport late the evening of December 27, 2003. A retired forklift operator described as a recluse who regularly checked in with his mother, Franklin told a family member by phone that he was on his way to meet a friend but never returned and has not been heard from since.

His white 1995 Cadillac DeVille with Louisiana plate IJG 528 also vanished and has never been found; investigators called it extremely unusual for a car like that to remain invisible for so long. Franklin was a Black male, balding, with brown eyes, 5 feet 6 inches and about 210 pounds, and he wore reading glasses and dentures when last seen. Authorities have suspected foul play but no physical evidence has been reported.

Does anyone who knew Ernest, the friend he planned to meet, or who saw that Cadillac in late December 2003 have information to share?