Jerry Lee Armstrong was 17 and a high school senior and quarterback at Hernando High when he was last seen on December 23, 1977. That evening he borrowed his brother’s white 1973 Pontiac LeMans to attend a school dance at the National Guard Armory and vanished after dropping his girlfriend off at her home. Neither Jerry nor the car has ever been found.

Investigators and the family have considered several theories, including the possibility Jerry was mistaken for his brother James and targeted by members of the Ku Klux Klan because James was dating a white woman. No solid evidence has emerged to confirm that theory. The investigation has been hampered by challenges such as missing documents from Jerry’s case file, and family members, notably his brother Johnny, have publicly criticized the initial handling of the case.

The disappearance remains unsolved and is still classified as a mysterious disappearance. If anyone knew Jerry, saw the 1973 Pontiac LeMans after December 23, 1977, or has information that could help, please share it with investigators.