Donald Wayne Kelley Missing Person Case

Jan 28, 2026

Jan 28, 2026

Donald

Wayne Kelley

56

56

6'2 inches

150 lbs

White

Male

In the late days of March 2022, concern began to grow for 56-year-old Donald Wayne Kelley, a resident of Alleghany County, Virginia. He was last seen sometime between March 31 and April 1, 2022. A friend who was with him at his home reported that Kelley, also known as Donnie, mentioned he was going for a short drive, about twenty minutes or a couple of interstate ramps away, and then he never returned. His family grew worried when they were unable to get in touch with him for several days, which they stated was highly unusual behavior for him. This lack of contact prompted them to request a welfare check from the authorities on April 9, 2022. When deputies from the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office arrived at his residence, they found no sign of Kelley. He was believed to have been driving his red 2002 Kia Sportage, which was also missing. The investigation into Donald Kelley's disappearance quickly revealed unsettling details. Authorities discovered that his last financial transaction had occurred on March 24, and his cell phone last showed activity on March 26, 2022. This information led investigators to believe that Kelley may have been missing for as long as two weeks before he was officially reported as such. The search for him was extensive, involving numerous interviews and the execution of 26 search warrants. Investigators collected 49 items of evidence, including firearms and DNA. Despite these efforts, and attempts to locate him by pinging his cell phone, there were no immediate signs of his whereabouts. The case was officially classified as an endangered missing person case, with fears that foul play was involved in his disappearance. As the one-year mark of his disappearance approached in March 2023, the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office announced a significant development, declaring the case a probable homicide investigation. They also revealed they had identified a person of interest who they believe was an acquaintance of Kelley's, though they noted that the evidence was circumstantial. A major break in the case came in early April 2023, when Kelley's missing red Kia Sportage was located and recovered at an undisclosed location following a citizen's tip. Despite the recovery of his vehicle, Donald Wayne Kelley has not been found. The investigation remains an active and high-priority homicide and missing person case for the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office. The circumstances surrounding his last known moments, the subsequent discovery of his car, and the official classification of his case as a probable homicide paint a somber picture of a man who vanished from his life, leaving behind a family still searching for answers and closure.

Apr 01, 2022

Alleghany County

Virginia

Alleghany County

Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office

540-965-1775

06/19/2026