Joseph Paul D’Aquisto Sr., known as Joe, was 60 when he disappeared from his Asheville, North Carolina home on January 11, 2002. After a minor argument with his wife of 30 years he drove away in his red/burgundy Toyota Tacoma and was never heard from again. He left his wallet and his camera—an item he rarely parted with—making his disappearance out of character according to family.

Six months later the truck was found in the parking lot of a La Quinta Inn off Interstate 81 in Kingsport, Tennessee. Hotel staff told family the vehicle had been there for several months, likely since January, but there are no records of him checking in as a guest and no evidence he used local airports, train stations, or bus stations. He was familiar with the Kingsport route from trips to relatives in New York.

Investigative leads continued for years: UNC Asheville students reviewed case files in 2011, and family placed billboards in Asheville and Kingsport in 2013. The case remains unsolved and the family still seeks answers. If anyone knew Joe, his routes through I-81, or saw his truck in Kingsport in early 2002, please come forward with information.