Paul Edward Cox, 62, was last seen in early summer 2020 after leaving his daughter’s apartment in Rockwood, Tennessee. He lived alone on Smith Mountain in Cumberland County, did not own a vehicle or use a cell phone or the internet, and was described by his daughter Emily as a solitary mountain man who nonetheless kept a close, loving relationship with her.

His daughter did not at first find his silence unusual, but when she later visited his Smith Mountain home she found him gone. Neighbors and others in the area had no information. Rumors that he may have come to harm prompted Emily to contact the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department, which opened a missing persons investigation. Investigators interviewed people and searched his residence but found no evidence of a crime and no body has been recovered.

The disappearance remains unresolved and the family seeks answers. If anyone knew Paul’s routines, movements on Smith Mountain in June 2020, or has information that could help, please come forward.