Randy Whitfield Vanishes

Police say on December 8, 2001, Randy Whitfield disappeared from his home in Haleyville, Ala. Around 6:30 p.m., an acquaintance saw Randy in his driveway talking to a man about some equipment that Randy was selling, but what happened to Randy after that is a mystery.

Police say Randy worked for a modular home company, responsible for transporting homes. According to police, Randy was supposed to return a truck to the company in Russellville, 25 miles from his home, on that Monday. He never showed up.

When police went to Randy's house to see if he was okay, they found the company's truck in the driveway and a plate of food on the table. They also noted that Randy's work shed was left wide open, but there was no sign of him.

Randy's family says that it was not like him to leave his shed open; Randy used it to store the expensive tools he used to fix up old cars. His family says he always locked the shed, even if he left for a brief moment to go inside.

Police are also baffled by Randy's disappearance. They say it is very peculiar that food was on the table when the house was searched. It appeared that Randy made himself dinner and was getting ready to eat it, but something happened. Police found no evidence of foul play, but Randy took nothing with him if he did leave on his own.

His mother, Virginia, says she found Randy's travel bag, the one he always took with him when he went on the road, in a back room. She says he loved his family and was even getting ready for the Christmas holiday. "He already had wrapped three presents," she says. "No way he just took off, never."

Randy's mother strongly believes that her son's disappearance is the cause of foul play. She says she will not rest until she finds out what happened to him. 

"I just want my son back," she says. "Someone knows something."

A Murder Down The Road

Two days after Randy Whitfield vansiahed, a eldery couple was found murdered in thier home. Police say on December 11, 2001, and five miles from Randy's home a 9-1-1 call was made to police.

When police arrived they found home owners Elmer and Joyette Thrasher dead. Police say they were shot to death. Now police are wondering if who ever killed the Thrashers knows what happened to Randy.