Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP143046)
In the small community of New Madrid, Missouri, the disappearance of 45-year-old Richard Caleb Powell on April 22, 2025, has left his friends, family, and neighbors deeply concerned. Powell, known to many as Caleb, was a familiar and friendly face in the area. On the day he went missing, he was seen at his automotive business located at the corner of Main and Virginia streets.
Video surveillance showed him pacing for several hours in front of his shop, reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis. In a move that caused immediate alarm, Powell left behind his phone, keys, and wallet before driving away. His departure was abrupt; at 2:35 p.m., he was seen leaving his business at a high rate of speed.
The moments following Richard Caleb Powell's departure were pieced together through various surveillance videos from local homes and businesses. At 2:36 p.m., his dark gray 2003 Chevrolet Silverado with a noticeable dent behind the driver's side cab was seen heading north on Main Street. A short time later, at 2:41 p.m., his truck was recorded traveling west on State Highway P. The footage confirmed he was the sole occupant of the vehicle. By 2:44 p.m., he was seen continuing westbound on State Highway W, heading towards Kewanee. A final piece of video evidence, discovered nearly a month after his disappearance, showed his pickup truck at 2:45 p.m. traveling south on a county road. These images provided a timeline of his last known movements but offered no clues as to his destination or state of mind.
The search for Powell mobilized both law enforcement and the community. The New Madrid Police Department, aided by the New Madrid County Sheriff's Office, launched an extensive investigation. For months, there were no new leads, until deer hunters made a significant discovery. On the morning of November 15, 2025, they found Powell's truck wedged between two trees in a remote and overgrown wooded area he was known to frequent. While the discovery of the vehicle was a major development, it brought more questions than answers as Powell was nowhere to be found. Investigators noted that details about the truck suggested only one person had exited the vehicle. Extensive searches of the surrounding area were conducted, involving more than 20 cadaver dogs, but these efforts did not lead to the discovery of Powell. The investigation into his disappearance remains active, with authorities continuing to conduct small-scale searches and urging anyone with information to come forward.Last Seen: Apr 22, 2025
