In the late autumn of 2003, concerns grew for the well-being of Matthew Colter, a 46-year-old man from Orangeburg, South Carolina. The last confirmed sighting of him was on the evening of November 17, 2003, at his home on Erika Road. His sister was the last person to see him and noted that he seemed to be acting strangely during their interaction. This behavior was particularly concerning as he lived with schizophrenia and did not have his necessary medication with him. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as a Black male, standing at 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, and a need for eyeglasses.
The day after he was last seen, his sister returned to his residence to check on him, only to be met with a deeply unsettling scene. The back door of the home was unlocked and bore pry marks, suggesting a possible forced entry. Inside, the sense of disturbance continued with damaged appliances and other troubling signs left behind. There was no trace of Matthew Colter himself, and he has not been seen or heard from since that day. The state of his home strongly suggested that he may have met with foul play.
In the immediate aftermath of his disappearance, authorities were notified and an investigation began. There were a few reported sightings of him in the local area in the days that followed, but none of these could be substantiated or led to his whereabouts. An extensive search effort, which included the use of bloodhounds and aerial support, was undertaken but unfortunately yielded no clues as to where he might be. The perplexing circumstances of his disappearance, including the state of his home and his vulnerable medical condition, have left his case unsolved. The lack of answers has left a lasting sense of unease and a community hoping for a resolution. The investigation into what happened to Matthew Colter remains open, a quiet but persistent question in Orangeburg County.
Last Seen: Nov 17, 2003
