In the quiet community of Trade, Tennessee, a story of violence and mystery began to unfold around January 19, 2018, with the disappearance of 29-year-old Catlton L. Edmondson. What started as a missing person case soon revealed a dark and complex sequence of events that crossed state lines. Edmondson was reportedly kidnapped in North Carolina and forcibly brought to a remote area in Tennessee.
The initial report to authorities came from Edmondson's own family in Valdese, North Carolina, who had received distressing phone calls demanding a ransom for his safe return. This set off a multi-agency investigation, as law enforcement from both North Carolina and Tennessee began to piece together the harrowing details of his abduction. He was last seen wearing a black coat, blue jeans, a red t-shirt, and possibly white Crocs.
The investigation into Edmondson's disappearance quickly led to several arrests. Robert Leroy Littleton III was apprehended in Mountain City, Tennessee, and charged with kidnapping. Detectives learned from Littleton that Edmondson had been taken to an isolated location, assaulted, and left behind. As the case progressed, more individuals were implicated in the crime. LeighKathrine Mina, who was reportedly married to Littleton, was also arrested and charged with first-degree kidnapping. Over the following weeks, the number of arrests grew to six, with charges including conspiracy to commit especially aggravated kidnapping. The motive behind this brutal crime appears to have been a drug deal that went awry, leading to a dispute over money. The situation escalated tragically, as evidenced by cellphone footage that captured the severe beating Edmondson endured at the hands of his captors. This video evidence was crucial in helping investigators pinpoint the location of the assault in Trade, Tennessee.
Despite the numerous arrests and the grim details that emerged, a significant piece of the puzzle remains missing: Catlton Edmondson himself. Extensive searches have been conducted in the rugged, wooded terrain of Johnson County, Tennessee, where authorities believe he was left. These searches have involved various resources, including cadaver dogs, in an effort to bring closure to his grieving family. His mother, Lanisha Kincaid, has expressed both her deepest fears and her enduring hope, stating, 'My worst fear is that he's never found. My greatest hope is he's still alive and they'll return him home to me'. The case is a heart-wrenching example of how a dispute can spiral into a devastating act of violence, leaving a family in limbo and a community searching for answers. The investigation remains active as authorities continue their efforts to locate Edmondson and provide a resolution to this tragic case.Last Seen: Jan 19, 2018
