In the quiet morning hours in Eufaula, Alabama, a 29-year-old Navy veteran named Darion Maurice Dawkins started his day like any other. His mother saw him on the porch of their family home in the Forest Hills area, smoking a cigarette and listening to music. It was his routine to then take a walk around the neighborhood, something he did often. On that particular morning, sometime around 7:00 a.m., he set out for his walk but never returned.
While some accounts state he was last seen on February 6, 2016, others record the date as February 7. He was a familiar face in the community, known for his frequent walks. His family's concern grew when he did not come home, as this was completely out of character for the father of three.
Darion is described as a Black male, standing at 6'1' and weighing around 160 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. When he vanished, he was believed to be wearing a black or gray sweatshirt over a white t-shirt, light gray sweatpants, and either orange sneakers or black low-top Nike shoes. He has several distinct tattoos, including some on both of his arms, an outline of the state of Alabama with the area code '334' inside, and the image of baby footprints on his chest. Compounding the urgency of his disappearance is the fact that Darion suffers from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and was without the medication he needs to manage his conditions. While he has no history of violent behavior, authorities noted that without his medication, he could be a danger to himself or others, leading to his classification as an endangered missing person.
In the wake of his disappearance, the Eufaula Police Department launched an investigation, conducting searches on the ground with canine units and from the air, but these efforts yielded no clues as to his whereabouts. A $2,000 reward was offered for any information that could lead to solving the case. The investigation has been met with significant challenges, with detectives citing a frustrating lack of cooperation and leads that ultimately turn out to be unsubstantiated rumors. His mother expressed that she would not be able to rest until she knew her son was okay, and his grandmother, who has since passed away, spoke of sleepless nights filled with worry. The case of Darion Dawkins is that of a beloved son, father, and veteran who seemingly vanished into thin air during a simple morning routine. Despite the passage of time and appeals for information from his family and law enforcement, his whereabouts remain unknown, leaving a family searching for answers.Last Seen: Feb 6, 2016
