In the autumn of 2018, the life of Samuel Claude Gilbert, a 46-year-old father, took a turn that left his family and community searching for answers. On the evening of October 23rd, from his apartment in Raleigh, North Carolina, Samuel was last seen. He was a man described by his mother as measured, easy-going, and a dedicated father to his two teenage sons.
That night, after his sons were in bed, Samuel walked out of his home near Crabtree Valley Mall, leaving behind his wallet, keys, and vehicle. This uncharacteristic departure with only his cellphone in hand marked the beginning of a heart-wrenching mystery for all who knew him. At the time of his disappearance, he was dressed in blue jeans, a white t-shirt, and a blue Adidas baseball cap.
The moments leading up to his disappearance offered few clues. Surveillance footage from his apartment building on Fairstead Drive captured him walking out the front door and heading in the direction of Crabtree Valley Mall. The following morning, his ex-wife reported him missing to the Raleigh Police Department, prompting an immediate investigation. Law enforcement, with the help of canine units and volunteers, scoured the wooded areas surrounding his home and near Crabtree Creek, but their extensive searches yielded no trace of Samuel. His mother, Tina Hough, expressed her fears and her belief that he might be somewhere in the dense, overgrown landscape they had searched.
Samuel was a senior operations manager with the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants in Durham and a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill. Despite a recent divorce in May of 2018, those close to him said he appeared to be in good spirits and was looking forward to new endeavors, such as becoming an assistant baseball coach. The Raleigh Police Department continues to investigate his disappearance, which is also documented in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. The case of Samuel Gilbert is a somber reminder of a man who seemingly vanished without a trace, leaving behind a life and a family that continue to hope for answers. His disappearance remains one of Raleigh's most perplexing unsolved cases.Last Seen: Oct 23, 2018
