In the late summer of 1981, 27-year-old William Dale Cunningham was a man with a foot in two different worlds. On one hand, he was a businessman, the co-owner of the A&W Drive-In located in the 600 block of north College Avenue in Bloomington, Indiana. On the other, police believe he was involved in the illicit drug trade, dealing in marijuana, hashish, and cocaine in the South Bend area. This dangerous side of his life is believed to be the reason he vanished in September of that year, leaving behind a mystery that has endured for decades. The last time anyone definitively heard from him was on September 21, 1981, when he made a phone call from Pierceton, Indiana. After that, the line went silent, and William, known as Bill to his friends, was never heard from again.
The timeline of Cunningham's disappearance begins on September 18, 1981, when he departed from Bloomington alone. He was reportedly on his way to South Bend to visit friends, a trip that was likely a cover for his alleged drug-related activities. It is believed he was carrying a substantial amount of cash, estimated to be between $30,000 and $40,000. The purpose of this money, authorities suspect, was for a significant drug transaction. His journey took a dark turn somewhere between his departure and his intended destination. The last known contact was the phone call he made on September 21st, but the identity of the person he called remains a lingering question. In the weeks that followed, a concerning discovery was made in a grocery store parking lot in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Cunningham's black and silver 1978 Lincoln Continental, a noticeable vehicle with the Indiana license plate number 53A5926, was found abandoned. It had been left unlocked and had sat in the lot for a month before being towed. A citizens band radio and a radar detector were missing from the car, leading investigators to suspect the vehicle had been stolen and later dumped by the thieves.
The investigation into William Cunningham's disappearance quickly focused on his involvement in the drug trade as a primary motive for foul play. The large sum of money he was believed to be carrying made him a target, and police have long suspected that he was the victim of a homicide. Adding another layer of complexity to the case was the subsequent disappearance of his business partner from the A&W Drive-In. This individual, who also had a roommate named Peter Mustak, reportedly dropped out of sight after Cunningham went missing. Police were keen to question him but were never able to locate him, leaving his potential knowledge of the events surrounding Cunningham's disappearance a frustrating unknown. Over the years, the case has grown cold, a painful reality for the family and friends who have waited for answers. The Indiana State Police continue to hold the case file, a thick collection of reports and dead-end leads. The prevailing theory remains that William Cunningham's life was tragically cut short due to his dealings in a dangerous underworld, a narrative that has shaped the investigation from its earliest days and left an enduring sense of loss and unresolved questions.
Last Seen: Sep 21, 1981
