In the autumn of 1978, a young and ambitious 28-year-old businessman named John Alan Hale seemingly vanished without a trace from Columbus, Ohio. On November 26th of that year, he was last seen on Morse Road, reportedly driving his maroon 1975 Chevrolet Monza fastback. At the time, Hale was the co-owner of two local convenience and liquor stores called 'Beer Wine Stop,' a venture he had entered into with a man named James W. 'Woody' Thomasson.
Hale, described by his wife as a driven individual who idolized Howard Hughes and aspired to become a millionaire, had no criminal record beyond minor traffic violations. He was a man with plans and a future, making his sudden disappearance all the more perplexing and concerning to those who knew him. He was last seen wearing green pants and tan shoes. A distinguishing physical characteristic was a Y-shaped scar on his forehead.
The circumstances surrounding John Hale's disappearance quickly raised suspicions of foul play. His business partner, Thomasson, was reportedly a 'silent partner' who had begun to take a more active and unwelcome role in the stores' operations, leading to disputes between the two men. Thomasson was also believed to have ties to organized crime and a lengthy criminal history. Following Hale's disappearance, Thomasson promptly changed the locks on both stores and transferred the business accounts into his own name, effectively cutting off Hale's wife from any income. This, coupled with the fact that Hale was reportedly on his way to open one of the stores on the day he went missing, cast a dark shadow over the events of that November day. The maroon Chevrolet Monza he was driving has never been found, though rumors circulated in the months after his disappearance that the car had been dismantled and destroyed.
Decades have passed since John Alan Hale was last seen, and his case remains unsolved, leaving a void in the lives of his family and a lingering question in the community. Despite the strong suspicions of foul play, no one has ever been charged in connection with his disappearance. The ambitious young man with dreams of financial success seemingly vanished into thin air, his car and his fate unknown. The case is a haunting reminder of a life interrupted, a story without an ending that continues to trouble those who seek answers and justice for John Alan Hale.Last Seen: Nov 26, 1978
