Ok, after searching the site here and not really finding much in the way of discussion on this case I thought I would start a new thread with George's name actually in the title. With his name in the thread, perhaps it will be easier to find for anyone that might have new info on the case.

This case was about George Owens. He vansihed while trying to get to a bus station to pick up his wife. He apparently got some wrong directions and ended up over 100 miles from where he was supposed to be. A witness that spoke to him in a small store (a clerk that sold him ice cream and cigars) said he seemed disoriented.

Five days later his car was found out in the middle of the woods. A pile of sticks in the floor of the back seat and his cane propped up against the back fender of the car. He was never seen again.

A witness who lived near a road that lead to where George's car was found said they saw George's car followed by a truck going up that road around the time George disappeared. 15 minutes later the truck came back down the road alone (that road was the only way out of that area apparently).

While the obvious solution to this is that George, who was in his 80s at the time, probably had suffered a mild stroke and got confused and eventually ended up in the woods where he wandered off and likely perished, there are some red flags in this story that suggest foul play.

-The truck following George's car

-George's cane left at the side of the car (how far could he have wandered without a cane if he needed it to walk in the first place?)

-The fact that his body was not found. (again, how far could he have gotten in wooded terrain without his cane?)

I think the likely scenario is that he indeed had a stroke of some kind. He ended up in the wrong town due to bad directions given to him. At that point I think someone decided to either rob him, or just plain kill him (possible hate crime given the location and time period).

While the segment points out the sticks found in the car as some kind of evidence, I can't imagine what they would indicate. Apparently he had a habit of gathering fire wood when out and about. I think in his mental state at the time, he stopped and gathered some wood before he met with foul play. Making the sticks a moot point. However, they cannot be discounted completely as they were found in the car after George disappeared.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this case?

I think the likely scenario is that he indeed had a stroke of some kind. He ended up in the wrong town due to bad directions given to him. At that point I think someone decided to either rob him, or just plain kill him (possible hate crime given the location and time period).

Agreed.

One thing I might add is that it's possible his killer knew who he was and targeted him. Some white supremacist may have wanted to exact some retribution on a church going man.

George was pretty active in the local church community. Someone may have recognized him from services and church activities. George's disorientation may have provided a chance opportunity for the killer.

I wonder if there was anyone else in the shop that may have overheard the conversation between the cashier and George. Maybe this conversation gave the killer an easy opportunity.

Interesting idea. I wonder just how much investigating the local police did in this case. It seemed in the segment that the clerk was geniunely upset that she didn't do more to help George, but there wasn't much from the police investigator they interviewed. Maybe just bad editing in the segment?

The car obviously is the most important piece of evidence as it is. I wonder if they even dusted it for prints. This case just frustrates me. i feel it is one that could have easily been solved at the time, but now after 25 years, probably not.

The car obviously is the most important piece of evidence as it is. I wonder if they even dusted it for prints. This case just frustrates me. i feel it is one that could have easily been solved at the time, but now after 25 years, probably not.

I'm not sure there would be any fingerprints on the car.
Once George went out of the car, he was easy pickings for an assailant.

I would imagine the killer wouldn;t have to have much contact with the car.

What there should be are tire tracks and quite possibly footprints. (depending on weather and time)

Considering that George Owens probably had to crawl without his cane, it's kind of puzzling there wasn't any drag marks or even a handprint in the dirt.

Here's a theory. People have mentioned the cane being left behind. Is it possible that George took a large stick with him to walk? If he had other sticks in his car, this might make sense if he was walking...

Just wanted to put that out there.

Here's a theory. People have mentioned the cane being left behind. Is it possible that George took a large stick with him to walk? If he had other sticks in his car, this might make sense if he was walking..

Interesting theory.

Nothing to prove or disprove it.

Even with the stick or cane I would question how much ground George could cover.

The terrain couldn't have been the best.
One fall could have been the end of him right then and there.

I mentioned that theory in an earlier thread about George not too long ago. He could have forgotten where his cane was and just used a "walking stick" that he found. Still, you wouldn't think he'd get too far from the car.

I'm not sure there would be any fingerprints on the car.
Once George went out of the car, he was easy pickings for an assailant.

I would imagine the killer wouldn;t have to have much contact with the car.



I guess I had always assumed that he likely met with an assailant (or two) in town who were then the ones that drove the car out to where it was found. If I understand what you are saying, you suggest that the killer (or killers) might have followed him to the remote area. I suppose that is possible. I think that either way, they likely took George out of the area the car was found in. If the witness that saw the two vehicles go up the road and then the truck drive back alone within 15 minutes, that wouldn't be much time to hide a body.

If someone other than George drove his car, I would think it would be very possible for fingerprints to be left. Unless of course they were being extremely carefull. They would have had to touch at least the shifter and steering wheel and door handle. All of which could of course be wiped down and if not would be tough to get prints from these items anyway. But driving what I would expect to be at least some distance from the town, it seems possible they could have easily left a print or two.

Either way, it still seems the car is a very important piece of evidence. In fact, it is really the only known physical evidence. i would still like to know just how in depth the police investigation was.

But the segment on UM never said there was anything to suggest a struggle or violence of any kind. So it is very possible they never bothered conducting a criminal investigation at all.

FYI, here is the missing persons report I found online

http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/3452dmtn.html

But the segment on UM never said there was anything to suggest a struggle or violence of any kind. So it is very possible they never bothered conducting a criminal investigation at all.

Given George's condition, I don't think his killer had to do much to coax him.

They could easily have said to him "hey will get you home to your wife, just leave your car there and I'll take car of everything".

After watching this case again on the dvd, I'm starting to wonder if George was ever in the woods to begin with. Perhaps he was killed elsewhere and the killer(s) drove George's car up the trail, closely followed by an accomplice or two in the truck. The cane up against the car and the sticks in the car could have been something to throw the authorities off by giving the impression George had simply wandered off in the woods.

This case breaks my heart everytime I watch it. Especially because his wife passed away not ever knowing what happened to her husband:(

Reading someone's earlier post, I think George Owens may have been killed by a White supremacist who stumbled into him, but not because they knew he was a local preacher. He was a preacher much closer to Nashville, and I doubt people in Lobelville knew much about a preacher from Nolensville/Nashville.

But to say it was race related it possible, and that truck that was witnessed going in and coming out is just a bit too suspicious, especially out in the woods. A lot of things can happen in the woods that no one ever sees.

However, the sticks in the car is just a bit too much of a coincidence, had the killers put the sticks in there. George gather sticks at home, and that points more to George not meeting with foul play. Or, he did meet with foul play, was injured even more than he already was (since he'd been disoriented), and wandered off to perish.

George was already in his mid-80s when he vanished, which would put him between 100 and 110 today. Even if he had survived whatever he went through, it's unlikely he's alive today. If he'd been in his 40s or 50s, it would be a different story.

Reading someone's earlier post, I think George Owens may have been killed by a White supremacist who stumbled into him, but not because they knew he was a local preacher. He was a preacher much closer to Nashville, and I doubt people in Lobelville knew much about a preacher from Nolensville/Nashville.

But to say it was race related it possible, and that truck that was witnessed going in and coming out is just a bit too suspicious, especially out in the woods. A lot of things can happen in the woods that no one ever sees.

:confused:

I have no idea where anyone is deriving the possibility of Mr. Owens' disappearance being the result of a hate crime aside from the fact that he is black.

Yes, racially motivated crimes occur in the South--just as they occur in the Midwest, Atlantic Seaboard, Northeast, West, and Southwest. That is the only other conclusion I am drawing from what you seem to be suggesting. Am I correct about that--that you believe (after he literally blew into Lobelville, unanticipated), a random white supremacist or two decided to target him either BEFORE he even went up the logging trail (meaning that he would've had to have been followed or lured) or after they unexpectedly stumbled upon him in the woods?


I beg your pardon, but that seems rather far-fetched to me. To me, the case has all the marks of a man simply (and unfortunately) suffering from a degenerative mental condition due to age and little else.


I'm reminded of the saying, "When you hear hooves, think horses--not zebras."

To further what Meg brings to the table, I'd hope that even white supremacists could come up with something better than harming an enfeebled black man. At worst, I could see a case of non-racially motivated robbery being the cause of Mr. Owens' demise.

I really appreciate how this case has affected so many forum members. Who of us wouldn't have enjoyed having a cup of coffee with someone like George Owens? From all accounts he was an uncommonly good person.

In reply to MegtheEgg86's comments: I hear you on it possibly being far-fetched that a white supremacist killed George Owens. As you pointed out, George wasn't planning on going to Lobelville. It was the mid-1980s when George disappeared occurred, not 30 years prior, so it seems slightly implausible some white supremacists were involved.

But if someone did kill him or harm him in any way, that person must be extremely amoral (hence the white supremacist idea). But as I think back to the teenage boys in Texas who senselessly murdered and tortured all those people (including the elderly, and people of multiple races), some murderers just kill/torture without a motive. George Owens didn't seem capable of hurting a fly or causing any trouble. However, there is the possibility the truck that went down that road and came back had nothing to do with George's disappearance, and the sticks in the car point to that.

George Owens does seem like someone I would have enjoyed talking to, and it's sad his wife never knew what happened to him. I wonder if the brother is still living today (and if he has passed away, it's too bad he never found out what happened to his brother).

As with the Keith Reinhard case, I find it amazing that no remains were ever turned up after a period of 25 years. Some of the people on UM have quite literally vanished like Jimmy Hoffa.

I'm certain he put the sticks in his car and probably left his cane against the car. I mean who else who do that and just leave the car like that. Sadly I think he just wandered off into the woods and died in the forest somewhere.

Even if the police only gave it a half assed search, what are the chances his body wouldn't have been found if he simply wandered off? This was an elderly man who already had trouble walking (hence the cane) and yet in a disoriented state and without his cane, he wandered so far off into the woods on what I would assume to be very uneven terrain, that nobody ever finds him?

I suppose thats possible, but it just seems unlikely. Unless of course you go with a very poor search being conducted.

It seems more likely to me that the truck following George's car down the road is a very important clue in this case. I could be wrong, but the segment in UM seemed to indicate that the road really didn't lead anywhere other than the wooded area where the car was later found. If that assumtion is correct, then you put that together with the truck following him, then coming back by itself within 15 minutes, suddenly foul play seems more likely.

The wood gathered in the back of the car is interesting, and I will concede is likely an important clue, but it may also have nothing to do with the case at all.

I would suggest this: George has a mild stroke that day and ends up lost in the town. He meets up with one or likely two people who decide to take advantage of his confused state and plans to rob rob him (maybe hate crime, maybe not). While talking to these people George mentions something about wanting to gather wood. Seeing an opportunity to isolate him and do whatever they planned to do, these people tell him they know a great place to gather fire wood. One of these people goes in George's car, the other follows in his own truck. Once in the wooded area, one goes with him to gather wood to distract him, while the other goes through the car. They may have thought he had more money on him so they didn't kill him right away. Once they were finished searching the car, George and one of the perps come back to the car and put the wood inside. At this point the incident may have gotten violent. Now to cover their tracks the perps put George (alive or dead at this point) into the truck with them and drive off leaving the car where it was in order to give the illusion of an old man wandering off into the woods. They later dispose of him somewhere that he has obviously not been found in and given that there was nothing leading directly back to them, these people got away with it.

Like it or not, that scenario fits everything that is known (to us armchair detectives that is) about the case.

Even if the police only gave it a half assed search, what are the chances his body wouldn't have been found if he simply wandered off? This was an elderly man who already had trouble walking (hence the cane) and yet in a disoriented state and without his cane, he wandered so far off into the woods on what I would assume to be very uneven terrain, that nobody ever finds him?

I suppose thats possible, but it just seems unlikely. Unless of course you go with a very poor search being conducted.

It seems more likely to me that the truck following George's car down the road is a very important clue in this case. I could be wrong, but the segment in UM seemed to indicate that the road really didn't lead anywhere other than the wooded area where the car was later found. If that assumtion is correct, then you put that together with the truck following him, then coming back by itself within 15 minutes, suddenly foul play seems more likely.

The wood gathered in the back of the car is interesting, and I will concede is likely an important clue, but it may also have nothing to do with the case at all.

I would suggest this: George has a mild stroke that day and ends up lost in the town. He meets up with one or likely two people who decide to take advantage of his confused state and plans to rob rob him (maybe hate crime, maybe not). While talking to these people George mentions something about wanting to gather wood. Seeing an opportunity to isolate him and do whatever they planned to do, these people tell him they know a great place to gather fire wood. One of these people goes in George's car, the other follows in his own truck. Once in the wooded area, one goes with him to gather wood to distract him, while the other goes through the car. They may have thought he had more money on him so they didn't kill him right away. Once they were finished searching the car, George and one of the perps come back to the car and put the wood inside. At this point the incident may have gotten violent. Now to cover their tracks the perps put George (alive or dead at this point) into the truck with them and drive off leaving the car where it was in order to give the illusion of an old man wandering off into the woods. They later dispose of him somewhere that he has obviously not been found in and given that there was nothing leading directly back to them, these people got away with it.

Like it or not, that scenario fits everything that is known (to us armchair detectives that is) about the case.

Not a bad scenario. The problem with this case is that there just isn't enough to go on. That, and it's too sad for words.

I was traveling west on Interstate 40 in Tennessee last month and came across an exit sign for Lobelville and immediately thought of Mr. Owens. This was the small town he was directed to by mistake and also the place he stopped and bought ice cream and cigars. I was so affected seeing the sign; I wish now I had stopped and driven through the town. It really amazes me how some UM cases can a get a person so emotionally involved. This and the Wendy Camp case are the top two on my list.

It seems more likely to me that the truck following George's car down the road is a very important clue in this case. I could be wrong, but the segment in UM seemed to indicate that the road really didn't lead anywhere other than the wooded area where the car was later found. If that assumtion is correct, then you put that together with the truck following him, then coming back by itself within 15 minutes, suddenly foul play seems more likely.

The wood gathered in the back of the car is interesting, and I will concede is likely an important clue, but it may also have nothing to do with the case at all.

I would suggest this: George has a mild stroke that day and ends up lost in the town. He meets up with one or likely two people who decide to take advantage of his confused state and plans to rob rob him (maybe hate crime, maybe not). While talking to these people George mentions something about wanting to gather wood. Seeing an opportunity to isolate him and do whatever they planned to do, these people tell him they know a great place to gather fire wood. One of these people goes in George's car, the other follows in his own truck. Once in the wooded area, one goes with him to gather wood to distract him, while the other goes through the car. They may have thought he had more money on him so they didn't kill him right away. Once they were finished searching the car, George and one of the perps come back to the car and put the wood inside. At this point the incident may have gotten violent. Now to cover their tracks the perps put George (alive or dead at this point) into the truck with them and drive off leaving the car where it was in order to give the illusion of an old man wandering off into the woods. They later dispose of him somewhere that he has obviously not been found in and given that there was nothing leading directly back to them, these people got away with it.

Like it or not, that scenario fits everything that is known (to us armchair detectives that is) about the case.

Good analysis. I admit as heartbreaking as that is, it does go hand in hand with the clues. It does seem pretty rare something like this would happen in a little rural town (it's not like we're talking about downtown DC or New York City), although as you said, it could've been some rednecks just looking for an easy person to rob or something.

BTW, I don't know if anyone pointed this out before, but...George didn't get to Lobelville until July 23rd, which is the day AFTER he was supposed to pick his wife up at the bus station (also a day after the gas station attendant saw him on the 22nd).

We can probably assume he didn't stay in a motel and that seems an awfully long time to drive just 60 miles. Do you think he ended up in some other place before making it there? That adds even more credence to him suffering a stroke. I do believe most likely that's why he never made it to the bus station and got so lost in the first place.

I also just commented on the case online where some guy insulted me lol, but he did say something I believe that could be a motive. George had a gold watch and that could've made him an easy target for robbers (obviously even easier if he was disoriented).

Even if the police only gave it a half assed search, what are the chances his body wouldn't have been found if he simply wandered off? This was an elderly man who already had trouble walking (hence the cane) and yet in a disoriented state and without his cane, he wandered so far off into the woods on what I would assume to be very uneven terrain, that nobody ever finds him?

I suppose thats possible, but it just seems unlikely. Unless of course you go with a very poor search being conducted.

It seems more likely to me that the truck following George's car down the road is a very important clue in this case. I could be wrong, but the segment in UM seemed to indicate that the road really didn't lead anywhere other than the wooded area where the car was later found. If that assumtion is correct, then you put that together with the truck following him, then coming back by itself within 15 minutes, suddenly foul play seems more likely.

The wood gathered in the back of the car is interesting, and I will concede is likely an important clue, but it may also have nothing to do with the case at all.

I would suggest this: George has a mild stroke that day and ends up lost in the town. He meets up with one or likely two people who decide to take advantage of his confused state and plans to rob rob him (maybe hate crime, maybe not). While talking to these people George mentions something about wanting to gather wood. Seeing an opportunity to isolate him and do whatever they planned to do, these people tell him they know a great place to gather fire wood. One of these people goes in George's car, the other follows in his own truck. Once in the wooded area, one goes with him to gather wood to distract him, while the other goes through the car. They may have thought he had more money on him so they didn't kill him right away. Once they were finished searching the car, George and one of the perps come back to the car and put the wood inside. At this point the incident may have gotten violent. Now to cover their tracks the perps put George (alive or dead at this point) into the truck with them and drive off leaving the car where it was in order to give the illusion of an old man wandering off into the woods. They later dispose of him somewhere that he has obviously not been found in and given that there was nothing leading directly back to them, these people got away with it.

Like it or not, that scenario fits everything that is known (to us armchair detectives that is) about the case.

The chances are quite good that even a detailed search wouldn't have discovered his remains. He wasn't a large man and animals could have predated upon his remains and scattered the bones. He did disappear in a heavily wooded area so there would likely be a number of critters in the area.

I have to agree w/ the poster that supported this being the unfortunate case of an elderly man becoming lost in the woods and dying of either thirst,exposure or illness.

Probably was taken up the hill as an occupant rather than the driver.

Probably was taken up the hill as an occupant rather than the driver.

There's no evidence that was the case. In fact, most of the evidence points towards him being alone as the reason he that ended up in the area that he did. Had Mr. Owen's had a companion while driving, this story never would have occurred, IMHO.

There's no evidence that was the case. In fact, most of the evidence points towards him being alone as the reason he that ended up in the area that he did. Had Mr. Owen's had a companion while driving, this story never would have occurred, IMHO.


Oh yeah I forgot about the sticks against his car, and the cane too. The wandering woods theory is probably the correct one.

Oh yeah I forgot about the sticks against his car, and the cane too. The wandering woods theory is probably the correct one.

This was always the saddest UM segment for me to watch. Especially when the woman who worked at the store started to tear up when she says she should have reached out in some way to help George. But I kind of on the fence about how much of a mystery this is. The guy was in his 80's if I remember correctly, and by all accounts seemed disoriented. He probably suffered a stroke and forgot where he was. The sticks in his abandoned car rule out foul play to me, why would an assailant steal his car and fill it with a bunch of sticks just to abandon it? Unless someone planned on burning the vehicle but was interrupted somehow. In all likelihood he drove his car and left it there in a disoriented state and died in the wilderness somewhere. But George certainly would have appealed to someone who was looking to rob somebody. He was elderly, disoriented, and seemed to be well off (his gold watch and the pristine condition of his car suggest this).

I am so glad to see someone start a new thread on the George Owens Case. This story has always bothered me and there's no updates on this case. I just wanted to share my opinion of what I think might have happened. First I commend the store clerk who did try to assist Mr. Owens that day. With that being said I wonder if someone in the store overheard their conversation and saw him as being an easy target being that he's elderly & is also lost.

I do not discredit the wood found on the floor in the backseat of his car because during his wife's interview she stated that was a habit of his. I believe that's where Mr. Owens unfortunately met with foul play. Where ever the location was where he was gathering that wood is where he was killed and it's NOT the location where his car was found. That's why there's no trace of his body in that area.

I also think it was unfortunately for Mr. Owens a random attackand not racially motivated because he was a Pastor. It just doesn't make sense to me. From the segment on UM he stopped to get gas....asked for directions...the gas attendant might have misunderstood him which caused him to end up in the wrong city. He stops at a convenience store speaks to the clerk about trying to find his wife. She makes a phone call for him (I forget where the call was placed to) then miraculously someone recognizes him from t.v. then decides to kill him. ??? It just doesn't sound plausible to me that's why I think it was random.

I just wish that the eyewitness that saw his car and a truck following close behind was able to tell LE "WHO" was driving HIS car. I guarantee you it was NOT Mr. Owens. I believe his was killed at a different location than where his car was found to throw off LE. Where his car was ultimately found the whole scene was started, but a killer or killers wouldn't put to much thought into it. Why should they??? They're just trying to cover their tracks. The only eyewitness said just the truck returned 15 minutes later.

One who is trying to simply cover their tracks (get in and out) hopefully without being seen wouldn't put much thought into the fact that a man his age wouldn't make it far without his walking cane. That would explain why it was propped up against the car. How would he even get up there by himself??? Well there's wood on the floor in the backseat. Again I do believe he was killed at a different location where he was gathering that wood. The location where his car was found was a staged scene to throw LE off. Such a sad...sad case. I question just how much effort LE put into trying to solve this case. Well anyway that's my thoughts about this case and thanks for starting this thread!!

I am so glad to see someone start a new thread on the George Owens Case. This story has always bothered me and there's no updates on this case. I just wanted to share my opinion of what I think might have happened. First I commend the store clerk who did try to assist Mr. Owens that day. With that being said I wonder if someone in the store overheard their conversation and saw him as being an easy target being that he's elderly & is also lost.

I do not discredit the wood found on the floor in the backseat of his car because during his wife's interview she stated that was a habit of his. I believe that's where Mr. Owens unfortunately met with foul play. Where ever the location was where he was gathering that wood is where he was killed and it's NOT the location where his car was found. That's why there's no trace of his body in that area.

I also think it was unfortunately for Mr. Owens a random attackand not racially motivated because he was a Pastor. It just doesn't make sense to me. From the segment on UM he stopped to get gas....asked for directions...the gas attendant might have misunderstood him which caused him to end up in the wrong city. He stops at a convenience store speaks to the clerk about trying to find his wife. She makes a phone call for him (I forget where the call was placed to) then miraculously someone recognizes him from t.v. then decides to kill him. ??? It just doesn't sound plausible to me that's why I think it was random.

I just wish that the eyewitness that saw his car and a truck following close behind was able to tell LE "WHO" was driving HIS car. I guarantee you it was NOT Mr. Owens. I believe his was killed at a different location than where his car was found to throw off LE. Where his car was ultimately found the whole scene was started, but a killer or killers wouldn't put to much thought into it. Why should they??? They're just trying to cover their tracks. The only eyewitness said just the truck returned 15 minutes later.

One who is trying to simply cover their tracks (get in and out) hopefully without being seen wouldn't put much thought into the fact that a man his age wouldn't make it far without his walking cane. That would explain why it was propped up against the car. How would he even get up there by himself??? Well there's wood on the floor in the backseat. Again I do believe he was killed at a different location where he was gathering that wood. The location where his car was found was a staged scene to throw LE off. Such a sad...sad case. I question just how much effort LE put into trying to solve this case. Well anyway that's my thoughts about this case and thanks for starting this thread!!

I would suggest this: George has a mild stroke that day and ends up lost in the town. He meets up with one or likely two people who decide to take advantage of his confused state and plans to rob rob him (maybe hate crime, maybe not). While talking to these people George mentions something about wanting to gather wood. Seeing an opportunity to isolate him and do whatever they planned to do, these people tell him they know a great place to gather fire wood. One of these people goes in George's car, the other follows in his own truck. Once in the wooded area, one goes with him to gather wood to distract him, while the other goes through the car. They may have thought he had more money on him so they didn't kill him right away. Once they were finished searching the car, George and one of the perps come back to the car and put the wood inside. At this point the incident may have gotten violent. Now to cover their tracks the perps put George (alive or dead at this point) into the truck with them and drive off leaving the car where it was in order to give the illusion of an old man wandering off into the woods. They later dispose of him somewhere that he has obviously not been found in and given that there was nothing leading directly back to them, these people got away with it.


I think this is the most probable explanation. I do lean to the idea he wandered off in the woods but find it hard to understand how nothing has been found to indicate this. Not impossible with animals in the area but I favor the murder scenario.

Sad that his wife died without finding the truth. Buried alone after how many years of marriage ? Heartbreaking.

The segment specifically said that George loved his car and that he never would have thrown the sticks haphazardly into the back seat. Unless of course he was disoriented, which by all accounts he was. I doubt foul play was involved. Only two things could have happened, IMO:

-George wandered away from his car and died somewhere in the woods and his remains were missed.
-George wandered away from his car, was picked up by a good samaritan and dropped off at a shelter or home and died as a "John Doe". Almost like the same thing that happened to Rogest Cain.

-George wandered away from his car, was picked up by a good samaritan and dropped off at a shelter or home and died as a "John Doe". Almost like the same thing that happened to Rogest Cain.

Theres a chance that could of happened but if it did I would bet that this 'good sameriten' would have came forward and stated this. It must have been on local news for a while, talked about amungs residence in the local area and its show on UM. Chances are the person would come forward and say 'hey he was alive I dropped him off' and then LE could have been pointed in a new direction. If he was on TV preaching I'm sure his disappearance would have been quiet publicized. Correct me if I'm wrong on that?

Just my opinion on that theory.

Theres a chance that could of happened but if it did I would bet that this 'good sameriten' would have came forward and stated this. It must have been on local news for a while, talked about amungs residence in the local area and its show on UM. Chances are the person would come forward and say 'hey he was alive I dropped him off' and then LE could have been pointed in a new direction. If he was on TV preaching I'm sure his disappearance would have been quiet publicized. Correct me if I'm wrong on that?

Just my opinion on that theory.

George Owens was an associate minister at New Hope Baptist Church in Nashville at the time of his disappearance. He wasn't on television.

I don't think it's necessarily likely that if someone picked him up, they would come forward. Consider the case of truck drivers. In theory, a driver merely passing through middle Tennessee could have picked up George up and taken him just about anywhere. Statistically, it's actually more likely that such a person would NOT report this if they were unaware the individual was missing--which is also another good likelihood. Some of us have this idea that everybody was planted in front of the TV weekly to catch UM. This simply isn't true. Like any other show on any major network, not everybody watched it.

George Owens was an associate minister at New Hope Baptist Church in Nashville at the time of his disappearance. He wasn't on television.

I don't think it's necessarily likely that if someone picked him up, they would come forward. Consider the case of truck drivers. In theory, a driver merely passing through middle Tennessee could have picked up George up and taken him just about anywhere. Statistically, it's actually more likely that such a person would NOT report this if they were unaware the individual was missing--which is also another good likelihood. Some of us have this idea that everybody was planted in front of the TV weekly to catch UM. This simply isn't true. Like any other show on any major network, not everybody watched it.

Okay I was wrong about him being on TV, I thought I read it somewhere but must have been mistaken.

The shop assistant recognized him and the mechanic so the police must have been around the local area asking questions or they seen it on the new / newspaper to give the information.

If it was a local driver than took him then I could be right in what I'm saying that they would have come forwards with the information.

However a truck driver who picks up many people a year may not. I think you would remember a 80 year old preacher who was acting strangely but if they were not aware he was a missing person then yes it could go unreported.

Being that a truck was spotted near the scene it could we be possible. But for the truck to be driving in a secluded spots near the wood? The one road in and out?

If he was near a freeway or a gas station and got picked up I agree it could have went that way but his car is found in the middle of the woods and he couldn't walk far.

Not every one may watch UM but I'm sure a lot of people even truck drivers read the paper and see missing person's pictures at most gas stations, even listening to news on the radio.

The big thing that leads me to believe George died shortly after his encounter with the lady at the store was there were no other reports of anyone encountering George, or any other elderly man who seemed to have been lost, looking for his wife. That's not to say it didn't happen, but it seems unlikely that people who ran into him wouldn't have tried to help him in some way.

The problem I have with the Good Samaritan angle is that if someone in deed noticed that he was acting strangely and decided to help then surely that person would not have left his cane and car door open. Certainly he would have had his wallet on his person that would contain his D.L. so sooner or later the director or a case manager at a shelter would have found out he had been reported missing. The reason why I think his remains are at a different location than where his car was found is: 1). How far would he have gotten w/o his walking cane when he is already disoriented?? 2). Even if he wandered into the woods surely there would have been something....an article of clothing, his eye glasses, hat something even if the body was exposed to the elements. The findings of his vehicle just seemed staged to me. IMO It's good to see that many of you like myself are interested in this case as many others that were profiled on UM. I'm really glad I found this blogand the discussions and at the same time reminded of the families, friends, and loved one's who lived through or are living through what's being discussed.

It took someone over 20 years to find Mike Riemer's remains. It's not that uncommon for someone's remains to be hidden for years. I think something similar happened with George Owens.

It took someone over 20 years to find Mike Riemer's remains. It's not that uncommon for someone's remains to be hidden for years. I think something similar happened with George Owens.

Concur. I think he became disoriented and wandered some distance from where his car was discovered, and is yet to be found.

It took someone over 20 years to find Mike Riemer's remains. It's not that uncommon for someone's remains to be hidden for years. I think something similar happened with George Owens.

I do think a key difference is that Mike Riemer disappeared in the middle of winter and the murder site was not discovered for months, whereas George disappeared in the middle of July in Tennessee and his car was discovered only a week later.

Don't get me wrong, him wandering off and passing away is the most likely scenario here, but I'm just surprised no one searching the area was able to detect a stench of a decomposing body in the summer heat since George probably couldn't have made it very far without the use of his cane.

I do think a key difference is that Mike Riemer disappeared in the middle of winter and the murder site was not discovered for months, whereas George disappeared in the middle of July in Tennessee and his car was discovered only a week later.

Don't get me wrong, him wandering off and passing away is the most likely scenario here, but I'm just surprised no one searching the area was able to detect a stench of a decomposing body in the summer heat since George probably couldn't have made it very far without the use of his cane.

I really hate to say this, but I think the main problem was probably the fact that George's vehicle was found in Perry County. It's extremely rural and the police department is small and largely under-trained (and educated). It may have even been under-staffed in 1985.

I really hate to say this, but I think the main problem was probably the fact that George's vehicle was found in Perry County. It's extremely rural and the police department is small and largely under-trained (and educated). It may have even been under-staffed in 1985.

I agree. One constant in many popular UM segments, is that they happened in small towns. It'd make sense for a national, popular TV show to cover it, if the local police weren't really equipped to investigate it. Same with the Clinton, MO area where Angela Hammond was kidnapped from. Even now it's pretty small, and there was even less stuff there in 1991.

I'd sure like to think that George didn't meet with foul play. That would be unbelievably sad. His wife stated that gathering firewood was a familiar habit of his, and that he wouldn't have put it in the car ordinarily. Yet it would make sense if he had a stroke and didn't quite know what he was doing.

Dan Wilson's body was found 9 years later, right near where his car was, so its possible that their "thorough" search for George, did, in fact miss him.

One other general question I just thought of: let's say George made it to Nolansville to pick up his wife at the bus station as scheduled. Do you think he still would've had the stroke later in the day (albeit in way better situation, since people would've been around to help him), or was it maybe precipitated by the events themselves? Being afraid and confused, missing his wife and suddenly being in an unfamiliar area with nobody to really turn to for help, could've worsened his condition.

The scene in the reenactment, where he was telling the store clerk about how much he missed his wife and couldn't find her, might've been one of the most heartbreaking and emotional moments in UM's entire history. :(

IIRC, the car George was driving was pretty fancy, and he also had an expensive looking wardrobe on, which included a gold watch and a ruby ring. That being said, I think he could have been a target for robbers.

I don't understand the criticism of the store clerk (although I think that was in other threads). She seemed like she genuinely wanted to help. I think the reason she didn't call police was because no crime had been committed and had they been called, George wasn't missing at that point, nor was he listed as a missing person, so I'm not sure there was much they could do. I also read where someone was criticizing her for calling the local hospital to see if his wife was there? Que? She was trying to help, and probably figured George's wife was as elderly as he was and may have gotten injured and admitted to the hospital. It's a totally reasonable conclusion. She appeared to be the only one on duty at the time, and George had left the store right after she told him his wife was not at the hospital. It's not like she could have left her post and went after him.

And I think all of the speculation that the service clerk directed George to Lobelsville instead of Nolansville is just that: speculation. George WAS disoriented and driving to places other than his intended destination, so it's totally believable he drove there confused.

FWIW, the Charley Project website says the serviceman did misunderstand George and sent him in the direction of Lobelville. Seems like they located the serviceman, and he confirmed that's what he did.

FWIW, the Charley Project website says the serviceman did misunderstand George and sent him in the direction of Lobelville. Seems like they located the serviceman, and he confirmed that's what he did.

That's what makes this case even sadder. If the town of Lobelville had simply been named something else, George would've at least been sent in the right direction (instead of into an unfamiliar small town in the sticks).

I agree too, you could tell the store clerk felt horrible that she didn't do more to help George. :( Not only was she stuck at work behind the counter, but just in principle, so many times when we're presented with a situation as it happens and don't have time to think about it in the moment. When she did know the entire story, and gave her interview in the segment, you can tell without a doubt she would've done the world to help him, if she could've gone back in time.

Even the gas station attendant guy (although he wasn't interviewed) made an honest mistake that any of us could've made in his position (just sucks that the two towns had such close names!), and chances are he felt bad about it too. I can totally understand being sad and angry that this happened to George, and want someone to blame for it, but it's not fair to be angry at them.

I'd forgotten that George already was in an unfamiliar area a bit away from home when he stopped at the gas station. So he probably already had a stroke by then. This whole story could've been tragic otherwise too. Even if he'd been directed back to Nolansville, maybe his being disoriented could've caused him to be in a car accident (i.e. in a more populated area in suburban Nashville). Maybe if he made it to the bus station to pick his wife up first, they could've both been hurt. There's a million possibilities and no matter how you slice it, it's just a horribly tragic story.

Easily one of the most upsetting cases of UM. So sad

This is an obvious case of an old person getting confused and wandering off. This happens all the time folks. Our local news has silver alerts on a weekly basis. Old people get disorientated and vanish. Usually they are found before anything really happens to them. The fact that George gathered up sticks into the car is just more evidence of disorientation. Remember the Devin Williams case? He was delusional and piling up sticks. He met the same fate George Owens did. Wandered around in the wilderness and died. Sometimes it takes years to find body and sometimes they are never found. I find it sickening that people are alluding to a hate crime simply because he was black and in the south. Especially when there is zero evidence of that. Talk about stereotyping. Geez.

Clearly what happened is he ditched his wife and flew to Vegas and partied it up into his 90s under a fake identity