On June 16, 2011, a day that began like any other in the small, rural community of Rich Square, North Carolina, 59-year-old Daniel McCoy Moses vanished. Known affectionately in Northampton County as the 'Barbecue Man' for the delicious chicken he would grill and sell, his disappearance was discovered under alarming circumstances. Later that same day, the house he lived in, which had once belonged to his grandfather, was found engulfed in flames. When the fire was extinguished, authorities made a puzzling discovery: there was no trace of Daniel inside the charred remains of the home. Adding to the mystery, both of his cars and two motorcycles were parked on the property, and his barbecue tools were laid out on the grill, suggesting he had not planned to leave.
The initial investigation into Daniel's disappearance was complicated by conflicting information and circumstances. His then-girlfriend reportedly told investigators he had gone on vacation, which delayed him being officially declared a missing person for four days. This delay was a source of great frustration for his family, who felt it hampered the investigation from the very beginning. Although the fire at his home was a dramatic event, investigators eventually concluded it was likely accidental, possibly caused by faulty wiring for an air conditioning unit, and not connected to his disappearance. Daniel was a large man, standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing around 200 pounds, and was also trained in karate, making it unlikely to his family that he could have been taken without a struggle. His loved ones insisted it was completely out of character for him to leave without notifying any of his ten siblings, with whom he kept in regular contact.
Years have passed since Daniel Moses was last seen, yet his case remains unsolved, leaving his family, particularly his sister Shelia Moses, to tirelessly advocate for answers. Over the years, the family has hired a private investigator, offered a $10,000 reward, and made numerous public appeals for information. There have been sporadic new leads and search efforts, some as recent as April 2023, prompted by tips to investigators, but none have led to a breakthrough. The family has expressed frustration with the pace of the investigation at times, pushing for more resources and involvement from state and federal agencies. The case is an enduring mystery, marked by the strange coincidence of a house fire on the day a beloved community member disappeared, leaving all his possessions behind. It is the story of a family's relentless quest for closure in the face of unanswered questions about what happened to the man they knew as a talented cook, a retired truck driver, and a brother who vanished without a trace.
Last Seen: Jun 16, 2011
