Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP90048)
The disappearance of Hubert 'Tommy' Hansel Larkins is a case shrouded in familial mystery and the passage of time. Around Christmas of 1977, the 46-year-old man was last seen leaving his home at 809 Riverside Avenue in Kingsport, Tennessee. At the time, it was believed he might have been traveling to New Orleans, Louisiana, with some friends. Whether he ever reached his destination or returned from the trip remains a haunting question for his loved ones. The details surrounding his departure are vague, leaving a void of information that has persisted for decades. The lack of concrete information about his travel companions or any communication after he left has made tracing his steps exceptionally difficult for investigators.
The narrative of Hubert's disappearance took a dark and disturbing turn when his own brother, Albert 'Bud' Larkins, reportedly confessed to killing him at the family's Riverside Avenue residence.
This confession, from a now-deceased brother, cast a long shadow over the investigation, shifting the focus from a man who may have voluntarily left to a potential homicide victim. The weight of this admission led authorities to conduct a thorough search of the basement of Albert Larkins' home in 1981. The Knoxville Forensic Anthropology Center was brought in to assist with the search, a testament to the seriousness with which the confession was treated. Despite their efforts, the search yielded no evidence of human remains or any clues that could substantiate the brother's claim, leaving the family and investigators with more questions than answers.
The inconclusive search of the property left the case in a state of limbo, where it has remained for over four decades. Without a body or any physical evidence, the confession remains a powerful but unproven element of the case. The whereabouts of Hubert 'Tommy' Larkins are still unknown, and his case stands as a painful example of how a person can vanish, leaving behind a legacy of uncertainty and unresolved grief. The conflicting stories of a planned trip and a brother's confession create a complex and frustrating puzzle. For investigators, the lack of new leads has been a significant hurdle, while for Hubert's family, the absence of closure is a wound that has never fully healed. The investigation into his disappearance is a quiet but persistent effort, a search for answers to a mystery that began on a Christmas long ago.Last Seen: Dec 25, 1977
