Howard Kenneth Woolwine was 73 when he walked out of the rear door of the Hairston Home for Adults in Martinsville, Virginia, on the morning of August 15, 1998, and was never seen again. He left at about 6:15 a.m. and vanished despite an extensive search and a Martinsville Police Department investigation that produced no significant leads.

Woolwine was described as a white male with gray hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 8 inches tall and about 180 to 200 pounds. He lived with Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease and needed medication; his mobility was affected so he shuffled his feet when he walked. That combination of age and health concerns heightened worry for his welfare after he left the facility.

There are few details beyond the basic disappearance: he simply walked away from the residential care home and never made contact. If anyone knew Howard, saw him in Martinsville after August 15, 1998, or has information that could help the family, please share what is known.