On a December day in 1980, the life of Roy Lee Shew took a turn into the unknown, leaving his family and community with decades of unanswered questions. On December 8, 1980, 37-year-old Roy Lee Shew was at his home in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, when he received a phone call. Shortly after, he left his residence wearing a blue jogging suit and was never seen or heard from again.
His departure was as sudden as it was mysterious, with the identity of the caller and the subject of their conversation remaining a pivotal, yet unknown, piece of the puzzle in his disappearance.
Shew left his home in his vehicle, a 1980 Oldsmobile that was light brown over yellow, with the North Carolina license plate RPT-660. Neither he nor his car have ever been located, deepening the mystery surrounding his case. The complete absence of both Shew and his vehicle has led to much speculation over the years. Some theories suggest the possibility of foul play, given the abrupt nature of his disappearance and the lack of any communication with his loved ones since that day. The circumstances have left investigators with very few leads to follow.
Over the years, law enforcement has made efforts to uncover what happened to Roy Lee Shew. At one point, investigators excavated a two-acre field near a former textile mill based on a tip, but unfortunately, the search yielded no new clues. There have been rumors and theories connecting his disappearance to a suspected drug smuggling operation, with some speculating his car may have been buried, but these leads have never been substantiated. The case of Roy Lee Shew remains an active and unsolved missing person case with the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office. The lack of concrete evidence or significant leads has left his family without closure, and the community with a lingering sense of unease. The passage of time has not diminished the hope that one day, answers will be found and Roy Lee Shew's fate will be known.Last Seen: Dec 8, 1980
