On a December evening in 1982, 30-year-old William Earl Clifton left his home in Washington, North Carolina, after a phone call. His wife believed he was heading out to buy Christmas presents for their two children. That night, on December 10, he was seen at a local tavern in Chocowinity called the VIP club. He was not alone; he was in the company of two other men, 32-year-old Michael Fay Norman and 24-year-old David Leonard McMicken.
The three men were last seen together in Clifton's distinctive black over white 1975 Chevrolet Camaro. After they left the tavern, all three men and the vehicle vanished without a trace, leaving their families in a state of prolonged uncertainty and grief.
For more than four decades, the disappearance of Clifton, Norman, and McMicken remained a painful cold case for the Beaufort County community. Initial theories by law enforcement suggested the men might have abandoned their families, a claim disputed by Clifton's family who described his marriage as a happy one. The mystery deepened as years turned into decades with no significant leads. The families were left to wonder about the fate of their loved ones, grappling with the ambiguous loss that haunted their lives. Clifton's daughter, Lea Rose, recalled the night he vanished, remembering an outing to see Christmas lights just before he left with his friends, a final happy memory before a lifetime of questions.
A significant breakthrough in the 41-year-old mystery finally came in early 2024. Acting on a tip from a private citizen who had been researching the case and used sonar technology, law enforcement focused their search on Jack's Creek in Washington. In February 2024, a dive team discovered parts of a vehicle submerged in the water. After draining a portion of the creek, investigators were able to access the dilapidated car and confirmed, through its VIN number, that it was indeed William Clifton's 1975 Chevrolet Camaro. Tragically, human remains were discovered within and around the submerged vehicle. Authorities expressed their confidence that the remains belonged to the three missing men, bringing a somber end to the long search. Although the exact date is unknown, the case of William Earl Clifton is now considered closed, as he was regretfully located deceased, providing his family with a degree of closure after more than four decades of painful uncertainty. The discovery brought a renewed sense of grief for the families but also the relief of finally having answers to a question that had lingered for a generation.Last Seen: Dec 10, 1982
