Police aren’t sure what happened. He was reported missing more than a day later. The possibility of an abduction, or other reasons for his disappearance, remain open.

What makes this case especially strange is Dorien’s connection to unsolved murders. Over a year before his disappearance, he and some friends found the body of Gloria Ann Covington, who had been stabbed to death. A witness to the murder was also assaulted. This witness said Covington was attacked in a light-colored pickup truck. A month later, Linda Gayle Jackson was killed, also possibly involving a similar truck. These murders remain unsolved.

Adding to the mystery, a friend of the murder victims was attacked in September 1998 by a man with red hair, blue eyes, and a mustache. This man saw Dorien at his mother’s house after the attack and threatened the victim. Police have a sketch of this suspect, and wonder if he’s connected to Dorien’s disappearance.

Although some family initially thought a friend took Dorien to Dallas, this was ruled out. Despite extensive searches, Dorien remains missing. Because he was familiar with his neighborhood, and given the other circumstances, foul play is suspected. Some accounts say he was last seen near his grandmother’s house.