On January 11, 2002, in Asheville, North Carolina, 60-year-old Joseph Paul D'Aquisto Sr., known to his loved ones as Joe, disappeared from his home. Following a disagreement with his wife of 30 years, he drove away in his red/burgundy Toyota Tacoma truck and was never heard from again. His family describes him as an honest, responsible, and not impulsive man, making his sudden departure out of character.
His daughter, Lissa, has expressed that she does not believe her father would have left on his own without informing anyone of his whereabouts. The argument with his wife was reportedly minor, adding to the mystery of why he would vanish so completely.
The circumstances surrounding his disappearance grew more puzzling when his truck was discovered six months later. The vehicle was located in the parking lot of a La Quinta Inn off Interstate 81 in Kingsport, Tennessee. A security officer at the hotel informed D'Aquisto's daughter that the truck had been parked there for several months, likely since January of that year. This was a route D'Aquisto knew well, as he often traveled through Kingsport on his way to visit relatives in New York. Despite the discovery of his truck at the hotel, there were no records indicating that he had ever checked in as a guest. Authorities also found no evidence that he had used any local airports, train stations, or bus stations.
Adding to the unsettling nature of his case is what Joseph D'Aquisto Sr. left behind. A passionate and avid photographer who was rarely without his camera, he did not take it with him when he left. In fact, he had made plans to take his camera to work the following week to take photographs. He also left his wallet behind. His daughter believes that whatever transpired must have happened quickly, as her father would never have willingly left his cherished camera. Over the years, the investigation into his disappearance has continued, becoming a cold case. In 2011, journalism students from the University of North Carolina Asheville were granted access to the case files by the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office to assist in the investigation. His daughter, still searching for answers, put up billboards in both Asheville and Kingsport in 2013, hoping to generate new leads. Despite these efforts, the case of Joseph D'Aquisto Sr. remains unsolved, leaving his family with unanswered questions about the fate of a beloved husband and father.Last Seen: Jan 11, 2002
