Alabama family looking for closure 10 years after man’s disappearance

OZARK, Ala. (WDHN) — One Wiregrass family is looking for closure despite having a peace of mind about the fate of a man who went missing 10 years ago.

The Childree family has spent a decade looking for Charles Childree, who vanished in June of 2015.

“Over the years, we have come to realize he’s gone, and we believe that he is in heaven with his brother, sister, mom and dad,” said Rhoda Childree Hall, Charles Childree’s niece.

His remaining family, which includes his brother and sister, along with nieces, nephews and cousins, hasn’t seen or heard from him since June 21, 2015.

“They all have found a way to not let this overtake them, but we all miss Charles and love him a lot,” Hall said. “A lot has been done in the last 10 years.”

Childree was an avid walker, despite being in poor health because of leukemia. He walked 10 miles around the Arguta community in Dale County. He would leave his home on County Road 15 and turn left onto County Road 13 to collect cans and chat with neighbors in the area.

“Likely that hot July morning, he got up and went for a walk, and something happened,” Hall said. “It could have been foul play, but maybe he went off into the woods, and we just don’t know. He did not come home.”

Hall said the sheriff’s department has been by its side from the day it happened, conducting three to four searches that week until this day, making sure the community is aware and posting on social media about the 10-year mark. It aims to bring the family closure.

“There hasn’t been anything,” Hall said. “Maybe one day someone will stumble upon some glasses, fake teeth, clothes. We surely hope no one did anything bad to him, but we had to make peace so we can try not to worry about it.”

She said she appreciates everyone for keeping this cold case fresh on the mind. She said if you know of anything that could be of value, report it.