In the small community of Cleveland, Alabama, the autumn of 1998 brought with it a mystery that has endured for decades, leaving a family with unanswered questions and a case that remains cold. On November 3rd of that year, 31-year-old Huey Edward Hazelrig Jr., known to his loved ones as Eddie, vanished along with his uncle, Donald Fortson. The two men were exceptionally close, living and working together in the wallboard business.
On the day they disappeared, they had completed a job and returned to their shared home by mid-afternoon. After Eddie made a long-distance phone call, he and his uncle set out on what should have been a routine errand to check on a car, a task born from Eddie's passion for collecting antique automobiles. It was reported they may have been carrying a significant amount of cash, possibly around $3,000. Their last confirmed sighting was at a tire store on U.S. 231. From that point on, their movements became unknown, and neither man was ever seen or heard from again.
The initial hope that the two men would return home soon turned to grave concern later that same evening. A discovery made on Warrior Valley Road in the neighboring Etowah County signaled that something was terribly wrong. Eddie's gray 1984 Isuzu pickup truck was found engulfed in flames. By the time the fire was extinguished, the vehicle had been utterly destroyed by the intense heat. Investigators carefully examined the charred remains of the truck, but the fire had obliterated most potential clues. Authorities were able to confirm that no one had been inside the vehicle when it was set ablaze, and they found no traces of blood at the scene. The deliberate act of burning the truck suggested a violent and intentional effort to conceal evidence, deepening the fears of their family.
In the years that have passed since Eddie Hazelrig and Donald Fortson disappeared, their case has remained unsolved, leaving a void in the lives of their family members who continue to seek answers. Rumors have circulated throughout the community that the men met with foul play, a belief strongly held by their relatives. While both men had previous arrest records, Eddie had never been convicted of a crime, and his uncle's record consisted only of minor alcohol-related offenses. Eddie was known as a man who enjoyed a simple life on a farm, where he raised animals, grew vegetables, and was deeply attached to his pet dog. The family has offered a $50,000 reward for any information that could lead to an arrest and conviction of those responsible for the disappearance. The case is an enduring mystery, marked by the men's sudden departure, the disturbing discovery of the burned-out truck, and the complete absence of any communication or evidence of their whereabouts since that fateful day.Last Seen: Nov 3, 1998
