Roy Lee Shew was 37 when he disappeared from North Wilkesboro, North Carolina on December 8, 1980. He answered a telephone call at home, left shortly afterward wearing a blue jogging suit, got into his 1980 Oldsmobile (light brown over yellow) with North Carolina plate RPT-660, and was never seen or heard from again. Neither he nor the car has been located.

Investigators followed some leads over the years. A two-acre field near a former textile mill was excavated after a tip, but the search did not produce evidence. Rumors linking his disappearance to a suspected drug smuggling operation and to the idea that the vehicle might have been buried have circulated, but those theories have not been substantiated. The Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office lists the case as an active missing person investigation.

If anyone knew Roy, remembers seeing that Oldsmobile after December 8, 1980, or has information about the call he took that day, please contact investigators.