51 year old Robert Childers was last seen leaving his home in Florence, Alabama on September 17, 2016. He walked away on foot, without any indication of where he was heading.
Background
Robert has suffered from mental health and substance abuse issues in the past, and is classified as disabled. He requires medication.
Disappearance
On September 17, 2016, Robert Childers walked away from his home, located in the 1200 block of Lauderdale County Highway 141 in Florence, Alabama.
According to his roommate, David Nix, Robert left sometime between 9 – 12 pm, without giving any indication of where he was headed. He locked his truck before walking down the road.
Robert was captured on a hunter’s camera shortly after, in a nearby wooded area around County Road 178, near the Tennessee State line.
Extensive searches in the area were conducted the following morning, but no further clues as to his whereabouts were found.
Robert was officially reported missing to the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department on September 19, 2016.
Investigation
There has been no activity on Robert’s bank account or social security number since he disappeared. Robert left home without his truck keys, phone, and wallet.
Robert’s friends are worried that he may be disoriented, or possibly in danger due to a property dispute in which he was involved with.
About 20 years before his disappearance, Robert’s father had purchased a house and land, and lived there with Robert until the house was confiscated due to unpaid taxes. It was sold at auction to a man named Leroy Darby, who was attempting to have both men evicted at the time of Robert’s father’s death in 2014.
Four to five months prior to his disappearance, Darby had the power to the home turned off in an attempt to persuade Robert to leave. A few months later, Darby made another attempt to evict him, though Robert was granted a temporary court order to halt the eviction.
There was a hearing scheduled to determine who legally owned the home, but Robert disappeared before the court date. It is unknown if his disappearance is related to the property dispute.
Possible Roommate Connection
One of his Robert’s neighbors reported seeing him with his roommate, David Nix, after the time the roommate said he left the house. That sighting has never been confirmed.
Nix did give several inconsistent statements about Robert’s disappearance, but he maintains his innocence and has never been publicly named a suspect in the case.
Whereabouts
The location of Robert Childers, as well as the circumstances surrounding his disappearance, remains unknown. Police believe he may no longer be alive. His case is classified as endangered missing and remains unsolved.
Appearance
White male born on September 11, 1965. Robert has gray hair, blue eyes, stands 6’2 tall, and weights 240 pounds.
His cervical vertebrae are fused, and he walks with a limp due to neck and back injuries. He has several scars from prior surgeries, including an ostomy scar and a scar down the back of his neck going down to his back.
Clothings & Accessories:
Robert was last seen wearing a long sleeved green Wrangler shirt, blue Wrangler jeans, and brown cowboy boots.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Robert Childers please contact the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department at (256) 760-5757.
