On a stormy evening in Humphreys County, Tennessee, 37-year-old Christopher Chad Wiles vanished, leaving behind a series of puzzling circumstances. The day of his disappearance, February 7, 2019, had been one of excitement for Wiles, who had just purchased a 1998 Buick and spent the afternoon happily showing it to friends. As evening fell and severe weather rolled in, Wiles was driving home when his newly acquired car broke down in the 8200 block of Old Highway 13. Seeking assistance, he walked to a nearby residence to use their phone, a detail that marks the last time he was definitively seen. After making a call, he thanked the resident and headed back out into the rain, presumably to return to his vehicle.
Wiles had called his girlfriend to ask for a ride, telling her he had a flat tire. However, his girlfriend was unable to come and get him. When his car was later located by police, they discovered that none of the tires were flat, though the vehicle was nearly out of gasoline. The area was beset by severe storms and flooding that night, which complicated the search efforts that began the following day after his girlfriend reported him missing. Extensive searches of the area surrounding where his car was found yielded no clues as to his whereabouts.
Authorities have noted that Christopher Wiles was very familiar with the area he disappeared from, making it unlikely he would have simply gotten lost, even in the severe weather. In the year prior to his disappearance, Wiles had made significant positive changes in his life; he had achieved sobriety after a history of substance abuse, was actively involved in Alcoholics Anonymous, and was maintaining steady employment. The investigation into his disappearance has been hampered by a lack of evidence, and while the circumstances could suggest he sought shelter from the storm and met with an accident, the specifics of what happened remain unknown. His mother has expressed her belief that her son is no longer alive, and some investigators have speculated that foul play could be involved, given that no trace of him has been found. The case of Christopher Wiles remains an unresolved and troubling mystery for his family and the community.
Last Seen: Feb 07, 2019
