In the summer of 2004, a then 39-year-old Gene Wesley Lysle vanished, leaving his family searching for answers for years to come. On June 13, 2004, his mother dropped him off at a rest stop on State Route 213 in his hometown of Wellsville, Ohio. Lysle, who did not drive, intended to hitchhike to Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, to attend a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert.
He was reportedly given a ride to the concert, and a couple later came forward stating they picked him up afterward and dropped him off at the intersection of Market and Fourth Streets in East Liverpool, Ohio, which was near his home. He has not been seen or heard from since. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a white sleeveless shirt, blue jeans, a blue bandana, and lace-up work boots.
Gene Lysle is described as a Caucasian male with sandy brown hair and brown eyes. At the time he went missing, he stood between 5'3' and 5'5' tall and weighed between 120 and 125 pounds. He has several distinguishing tattoos, including a skull with a hat on his inner left forearm and a star between his left thumb and forefinger. He also has other unspecified tattoos on his right arm and his left ear is pierced. It has also been noted that his four upper front teeth are missing. Lysle had some health issues, including asthma and emphysema, for which he had been previously hospitalized and may have needed medication.
The disappearance of Gene Lysle was out of character. While his mother acknowledged that he had a troubled life, working odd jobs and occasionally serving short jail sentences, she stated that he never went more than a few days without contacting his family. When several days passed with no word from him, his mother knew something was wrong. She has expressed her belief that he met with foul play, a sentiment that has fueled her tireless search for answers over the years. The Wellsville Police Department investigated his disappearance, but little evidence has surfaced to provide a clear direction in the case. Despite the passage of time, Gene Lysle's case remains an active missing person investigation, a painful and unresolved chapter for his loved ones who continue to hope for answers. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Wellsville Police Department.Last Seen: Jun 14, 2004
