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298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP1305) and 9 other sources
In the fall of 2007, the life of Richard Earl Trimble, a 42-year-old military veteran, took an unforeseen and alarming turn. On the night of October 8th, at approximately midnight, Mr. Trimble was last seen at his home in Wetumpka, Alabama. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a blue shirt and Nike shorts. He was a married father of three who was unemployed at the time he went missing. Known to his loved ones by the nickname 'Zero,' Richard was described as a Black male with black hair and brown eyes, standing at 5'9' and weighing around 198 pounds. His sudden absence was entirely out of character, deeply concerning his family and prompting an immediate investigation by the Elmore County Sheriff's Office. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance were immediately troubling, suggesting the possibility of foul play.

Further adding to the mystery, Richard Trimble was not alone when he was last seen. He was in the company of a 27-year-old white male named Joey Dale Ward. The two men were reportedly traveling in a blue and tan 1987 Ford F-150 pickup truck. In a perplexing development, about a week after Trimble vanished, Joey Dale Ward also disappeared and has not been located since. It was discovered that Ward had active warrants for his arrest on charges of burglary and theft, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation. While the Ford F-150 pickup truck they were believed to be in was eventually found, it provided no answers as to the whereabouts of Richard Trimble. His family was left in a state of agonizing uncertainty, holding onto hope for his safe return while grappling with the disturbing details of his case.

The disappearance of Richard Earl Trimble is a case that has left a family searching for answers for many years. He was a son, a husband, and a father whose life was upended without warning. Authorities have treated his case as an endangered missing person, acknowledging the strong possibility of foul play given his uncharacteristic departure and the subsequent disappearance of the man he was last seen with. The discovery of the vehicle without either of the men has only deepened the enigma. The Elmore County Sheriff's Office has continued to investigate, but Richard Trimble's case remains unsolved. The absence of any contact from him since that October night has left a void in the lives of his loved ones, who continue to hope that one day they will have answers about what happened to him.

Last Seen: Oct 8, 2007

Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

76%Possible
John Doe — Atlanta, Georgia - unidentified case UP60757
John Doe — Atlanta, Georgia
UP60757 • Found Jul 24, 2017
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 28–42 vs 42 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 68%135 mi away
TimingFound 10 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7"–5'8" vs 5'9"
Weight 33%228 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown
75%Possible
John Doe — Atlanta, Georgia - unidentified case UP154154
John Doe — Atlanta, Georgia
UP154154 • Found May 24, 2025
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 48–62 vs 42 when missing
Race 100%Black
Location 68%134 mi away
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 84%5'7" vs 5'9"
Weight 76%129 lb vs 165 lb
Hair 100%Black vs Black
Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.