John Wade Wagner was 16 when he disappeared from Monroe City, Missouri, after dropping his younger brother at a school dance on the evening of February 17, 1968. He was last seen wearing a tan and orange plaid shirt, tan jeans, and brown dress shoes; family described him as having brown hair, blue eyes, and a tic-tac-toe–shaped scar on his stomach. The next day his pickup truck was found abandoned in an alley off Main Street with his keys, coat, and gloves still inside.

Early investigation included questioning and polygraph tests administered to two young men, though those results were never released publicly. Rumors circulated that John had been involved in a physical altercation with another local boy and may have suffered a fatal head injury; other unconfirmed stories suggested his body was burned or fed to hogs. The case grew cold, was reopened in 2000, and several once-interviewed individuals later refused to cooperate. His family placed a tombstone for him in Palmyra Cemetery and remains hopeful for answers.

If anyone knew John, was in Monroe City in February 1968, or has information about that night or the truck found on Main Street, please share what is known.