On a January evening in 2018, the life of 26-year-old Charleston Prentice Goodman of Durham, North Carolina, took a devastating turn. On January 28th, Goodman, also known as Scooter, was forcibly kidnapped from outside an apartment building on East Woodcroft Parkway. His mother heard him yell, 'Momma help,' and when she went outside, she witnessed him being shoved into a van.
Witnesses reported seeing Goodman arguing with four men who then forced him into what was described as a 2005-2008 silver or light blue Honda Odyssey minivan. At the time of his disappearance, Charleston Goodman was described as a Black male, standing at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 140 to 155 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing dark indigo blue jeans, a navy blue bubble vest over a maroon and blue hooded zip-up sweatshirt, a white t-shirt, and navy blue, maroon, and white Puma sneakers. He also wore a gold rope chain and has a noticeable scar on his wrist from a prior surgery.
The investigation into Charleston Goodman's disappearance uncovered a grim and violent narrative. According to court documents and information from confidential informants, his kidnapping was allegedly orchestrated in retaliation for a theft. Police learned that Goodman was suspected of stealing two bricks of cocaine from a local drug dealer. An informant told police that the dealer had surveillance video of the theft and hired a group of individuals, which included a former friend of Goodman's, to abduct him. The details that emerged from search warrants painted a disturbing picture; an informant told investigators that Goodman had been killed and that his body was seen in the back of a van two days after the abduction. Another confidential source provided a more horrifying claim, stating that it was believed Goodman's body had been fed to hogs.
The case of Charleston Goodman is a harrowing story that has left a family searching for answers and a community grappling with the brutal nature of his disappearance. Despite the shocking details that have come to light through police investigations and court records, his case remains unresolved. Durham police have followed up on various leads, including applying for search warrants for cellphone data, and have identified persons of interest, some of whom were also connected to other violent crimes in the area. However, Charleston Prentice Goodman has never been found. The investigation highlights the violent underbelly of the local drug trade and the devastating impact it has on individuals and their families. While grim theories about his fate have been presented, the absence of a body leaves a painful void for his loved ones, particularly his mother who witnessed her son's final terrifying moments. The search for Charleston Goodman continues, fueled by a mother's hope and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring closure to this deeply troubling case.Last Seen: Jan 28, 2018
