Case Details

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This person was missing Missing Since 07/22/1985

Missing Since:

Missing Since 07/22/1985

Missing From:

Missing From Nashville, Tennessee

Classification:

Classification Endangered Missing

Gender:

Male

Race:

Race Black

Date of Birth:

Age:

Age 79 – 80 years old

Height and Weight:

Height and Weight 5’11, 160 pounds

Clothing/Jewelry Description:

Clothing/Jewelry Description A gold watch and a ruby ring. Possibly an old black suit.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Distinguishing Characteristics African-American male. White hair, brown eyes. Owens wears eyeglasses. He uses a cane to walk.

Details of Disappearance:

On July 22, 1985, Mr. Owens vanished from Nashville, Tennessee. He was supposed to pick up his wife from the bus station at 6:00 a.m., but he never showed up. His wife, after waiting an hour, went home. When she arrived at 11:00 a.m., Owens and his car were gone. His usual hat was still at home, but his old black suit was missing.

Later, people spotted him about 80 miles away. He’d had a flat tire and got it fixed in Santa Fe, Tennessee. He asked for directions to Nolensville, but was mistakenly sent to Lobelville – the opposite direction! That afternoon, he was seen confused in a Lobelville store, saying he couldn’t find his wife. Then he disappeared again.

Six days later, his car was found abandoned on a remote hilltop over 100 miles from his home. The keys were in the ignition, the window was down, and the battery was dead. His cane was nearby, and it looked like someone had tried to start a fire. His suit jacket was in the car. There were no signs of a struggle. His wife said he wouldn’t leave his car and never walked far without his cane. A witness saw his car being followed by a truck just before it was abandoned.

Owens was a retired custodian and a long-time church associate minister. He had a good relationship with his wife of over 60 years. Despite investigations, his disappearance remains a mystery.

Agency:

Perry County Sheriffs Department 931-589-8803

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