In the quiet community of Laurinburg, North Carolina, 38-year-old Herbert Henry Strickland, known to his loved ones as 'J.R.', disappeared under disturbing circumstances on the evening of December 18, 2018. He was last seen outside his home on Carolina Bay Road, getting into a dark-colored SUV, possibly a GMC Yukon Denali. At the time, he was dressed in plaid or flannel pajamas with a white thermal shirt underneath and was wearing slipper-style sandals. The moments following his entry into the vehicle were shattered by the sound of multiple gunshots, a chilling premonition of the sorrow that would soon envelop his family and community. Herbert, a Native American man with black hair and brown eyes, has not been seen or heard from since that night.
The investigation into Herbert's sudden disappearance quickly took a grim turn. Within a month, the Scotland County Sheriff's Office announced they believed he was the victim of a homicide. This conclusion was bolstered by the discovery of a vehicle belonging to one of the identified suspects, found abandoned and completely burned on McRainey Road in St. Pauls. Despite the extensive damage, forensic processing of the vehicle, with assistance from the FBI and SBI, yielded what investigators called 'essential items of evidence.' The leading theory behind this tragedy is that it was the result of a botched robbery. The investigation progressed with the identification of four suspects and two persons of interest in connection with his presumed death.
Throughout the course of the investigation, a heavy cloud of suspicion hung over the identified individuals, and eventually, two of the four suspects confessed to their involvement. Their statements painted a grim picture, admitting that Herbert was shot and killed, and his body was disposed of in an unknown location. Authorities believe his remains are likely somewhere within Scotland County, Robeson County, or possibly across the state line in Marlboro County, South Carolina. The case remains a painful open wound for his family and the community, a search for answers and a longing for the day Herbert can be brought home for a final rest. The disappearance of Herbert Strickland is a tragic story of a life cut short, leaving behind a family to grapple with the uncertainty and the deep void left by his absence. The investigation continues, fueled by the hope of one day uncovering the full truth and providing closure to those who loved him.
Last Seen: Dec 18, 2018
