Michael Dewayne Cottrell was 43 when he was last seen at his home in Alamo, Tennessee, on August 17, 2012. His brother was the last known person to see him that day. He left without personal belongings, including clothing, which led family and investigators to view his departure as unplanned.

On August 24, 2012, Michael’s vehicle was found abandoned by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, roughly eight days before his disappearance was reported to the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office on August 25. The distance between his home and where the car was located has been a focal point of the investigation. He is described as a Black male, 5 feet 10 inches, about 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

The Crockett County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Missing Persons Clearinghouse have been involved and the case remains active. If anyone saw Michael, his vehicle, or has information about his movements in mid‑ to late August 2012, please contact the Crockett County Sheriff’s Office.