In the quiet town of Selma, North Carolina, 83-year-old James Norman Batten, a man of routine and solitude, vanished from his Madison Street home in December 2021. Known to his friends and family by the nicknames 'Jimmy' or 'Moes,' Mr. Batten was a U.S. Army veteran who lived a simple and private life. Due to his failing eyesight, he had given up driving and was often seen walking in his neighborhood or taking a taxi for his grocery shopping.
The last confirmed sighting of him was on December 15, 2021, but it wasn't until March 6, 2022, that his family, unable to get in touch with him, reported him missing to the Selma Police Department. This delay in reporting was not immediately seen as alarming by those who knew him, as it was not uncommon for weeks to pass without contact with his relatives who lived outside the area.
When officers conducted a welfare check at his residence, they found a scene that was both unsettling and devoid of obvious answers. The front door was unlocked, and inside, the house was tidy and in order, showing no signs of a struggle or any disturbance. Mr. Batten's cell phone had been left behind, another puzzling detail in his sudden disappearance. A significant clue was discovered on his calendar; he had a daily habit of crossing off each day. Investigators noted that December 17th had been marked through, but the 18th was untouched, leading them to believe he went missing on that date. The taxi service he regularly used for trips to the grocery store confirmed they had not received a call from him after December 15th.
In the years that have followed, the search for James Batten has been extensive, yet has yielded no answers. Selma police, with the assistance of the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, have conducted numerous searches of the areas he was known to walk, utilizing both ground crews and drones, but have found no trace of him. A birthday card sent to him on December 20, 2021, remained unopened, and there has been no activity on his bank accounts or credit cards since his disappearance. His DNA has been entered into a national database for missing and unidentified persons, but no matches have been made. The case of James Norman Batten remains an unsolved mystery. With all investigative leads exhausted, law enforcement continues to appeal to the public for any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem. A reward has been offered for any information that might lead to his whereabouts, as his family and community continue to hope for a resolution to his silent and perplexing departure.Last Seen: Dec 15, 2021
