Missing Since: 1994-01-15 Location: Hazard, Kentucky
Wells was last seen in Hazard, Kentucky on January 15, 1994. He had been at a party with friends earlier, and the friends later told police they planned to shoplift items from Walmart, then return the stolen goods for cash and use the money to buy alcohol. Wells got into an argument with his friends, walked away from them and went to a Burger King restaurant at Black Gold Shopping Center. Wells banged on the door of the establishment, which was in the process of closing, and made strange facial expressions. He appeared panicked and was acting as if someone was after him. The employees at the Burger King called the police, who arrived within minutes, but by then Wells was gone. Wells apparently attempted to catch a ride with customers exiting the Walmart in the same shopping center after he was last seen at the Burger King. Tracker dogs caught his scent near the river behind the city hall, but a search of the area turned up no indication of his whereabouts. Wells disappeared less than 24 hours after a gas station on Main Street in Hazard was robbed and its attendant shot to death. The murderer was convicted and sentenced to twenty-five years to life in prison. Authorities investigated the possibility that Wells’s disappearance was related to the earlier murder, but could find no evidence to support this theory. Wells is one of fourteen children and left behind two sons. His case remains unsolved. Investigating Agency Kentucky State Police Hazard Post 606-435-6069 Hazard Police Department 606-436-2222 Source Information The Doe Network NamUs The Hazard Herald The Mountain Eagle Updated 5 times since October 12, 2004. Last updated October 28, 2025; details of disappearance updated.