Samuel Lee Houchens Missing Person Case

Jan 28, 2026

Jan 28, 2026

Samuel

Lee Houchens

53

53

5'7 inches

160 lbs

White

Male

In the early evening of June 20, 2018, 53-year-old Samuel Lee Houchens was seen for the last time at his residence in the 1600 block of Meridian Street in Charlottesville, Virginia. A father, brother, and son, his sudden disappearance was out of character, sparking immediate concern among his family. At the time he went missing, he was described as a white male with brown hair that was thinning on top, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall, and weighing around 160 pounds. His last known attire consisted of a gray t-shirt, navy blue and orange University of Virginia Cavaliers basketball shorts, and brown deck shoes. His family reported him missing two days later, on June 22, 2018, launching an investigation that has spanned years. The circumstances surrounding Samuel's disappearance were puzzling to investigators. He had known mobility issues and often relied on a scooter for transportation, yet the scooter was found left behind inside his home. Adding to the mystery, the back of his cell phone and its battery were discovered in his backyard, but the phone itself was gone. Houchens had a history of alcoholism and drug abuse, which were known medical conditions. According to his girlfriend, he had recently relapsed after a period of being clean. These factors, combined with the unusual scene at his home, led authorities to believe he could be in danger. In response to his disappearance, the Charlottesville Police Department, along with other agencies, conducted numerous ground searches throughout the Central Virginia area. The Virginia State Police also activated the state's first-ever "Virginia Critically Missing Adult Alert" to solicit public assistance in locating him. Despite these extensive efforts and the investigation of various leads and tips over the years, the case grew cold. The disappearance of Samuel Lee Houchens remains an unsolved case, a lingering mystery for his loved ones and the community. His family continues to hope for answers, and authorities encourage anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to come forward.

Jun 20, 2018

Charlottesville

Virginia

Charlottesville

Charlottesville Police Departmen

434-970-3280

06/21/2026