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Michael Gorley Missing Person Case

Last seen in Stanford, Kentucky on May 17, 2015

Victim Details

Created

Jul 17, 2015

Case Added

Jan 12, 2024

First Name

Michael

Last Name

Gorley

Current Age

Age At Disappearance

Height

70 inches

Height To

72 inches

Weight

210 lbs

Weight To

230 lbs

Ethnicity

White / Caucasian

Gender

Male

Last Seen

May 17, 2015

City

Stanford

State

Kentucky

County

Lincoln County

Zip Code

40484

Tribal Land

Agency ID

16945

Agency Name

Kentucky State Police

Agency City

Richmond

Agency State

Kentucky

Agency County

Madison County

Agency Zip Code

40475

Agency Address

699 Eastern Bypass, Kentucky

Agency Phone

8596232404

Agency Jurisdiction

State

Agency Type

Law Enforcement

Agency Website

http://kentuckystatepolice.org/post-locations/post-7/

Agency Case #

7150286

Agency Report Date

May 19, 2015

Primary Agency

Kentucky State Police

Hair Color

Brown

Left Eye Color

Brown

Right Eye Color

Brown

Last Updated

Oct 9, 2026

Area Last Seen:

View Videos (2)

The Vanishing of Michael Keith Gorley What Are They Hiding ...

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!

Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP29487) and 8 other sources

On a spring day in 2015, 38-year-old Michael Keith Gorley left his mother's home in Stanford, Kentucky, telling her he was going to a friend's house. This would be the last time she would see her son. The events that followed that day have left his family with more questions than answers, and a lingering sense of unease. Later that same day, two women arrived at his mother's house to inform her that Michael's Ford Explorer was in a pond on Wilderness Trail Road. When his family went to the scene, they found the vehicle partially submerged, but Michael was nowhere in sight.

The timeline of Michael's last known movements remains convoluted. After his family retrieved his truck, they began trying to piece together his whereabouts. He was reportedly last seen at a friend's house on Knob Lick Road in Stanford. According to friends at the house, Michael left on foot between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m., intending to walk to Junction City, which was about two miles away. However, there are conflicting reports, as the homeowner apparently told Michael's mother he was still at the residence when she called around 11:00 p.m. The following morning, when he still hadn't returned home, his mother and sister went to the friend's house and found his shoes and hat on the porch. His mother has stated that he would not have gone anywhere without his shoes.

The days following his disappearance were filled with anguish and a desperate search by his family and friends, who walked the local roads and fields with little initial assistance from law enforcement. His mother carefully preserved his hat and shoes as potential evidence. It was not until several months later, when a new detective was assigned to the case, that these items were collected. Michael's family firmly believes that he was met with foul play at the hands of people he knew and trusted. Just five days before he went missing, Michael had been released from jail after a grand jury did not indict him on drug-trafficking charges. This, along with other unsettling details, has led his family to believe his disappearance was no accident. The case of Michael Gorley remains an open and painful chapter for his loved ones, who are still seeking closure and justice for a man they describe as a hard worker and a dedicated father.
Last Seen: May 17, 2015

Links to Additional Sources (8)

See any mistakes? Let us know!

Missing: Michael Keith Gorley - The Murder Police Podcast

“What if it was your son?” Police say Michael Gorley case remains ...

Missing Person / NamUs #MP29487

UNSOLVED | Mystery of the Missing | whas11.com

Missing Persons Cases Network's post - Facebook

Michael Keith Gorley - The Charley Project

Missing: Michael Keith Gorley | Parts 1 and 2 - YouTube

Missing: Michael Keith Gorley Part 1 of 2 - Apple Podcasts

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

75%Possible

John Doe — Chicago, Illinois

UP53660 • Found Oct 22, 2018

View case

Sex ✓Male

Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 38 when missing

Race 100%White

Location 41%339 mi away

TimingFound 3 years after last seen

Height 100%5'10" vs 5'10"–6'0"

Weight 100%203 lb vs 210–230 lb

Hair 100%Brown vs Brown

Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

Michael Gorley Missing Person Case

Last seen in Stanford, Kentucky on May 17, 2015

Victim Details

View Videos (2)

Case Description

Links to Additional Sources (8)

Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

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