(Walhalla, SC)--------------------------------------Tomorrow, Friday, February 3rd, 2023, is National Missing Persons Day. According to the NamUs database, there are approximately 600,000 people declared missing every year across the world. In recognition of National Missing Persons Day, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to draw attention to investigations into Missing Persons cases inside of the county.
The Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating five missing person cases while the Walhalla Police Department has one investigation into a missing person from their agency. The most recent case is about two years back with the longest one being more than 25 years ago. The following Missing Person’s cases are currently active:
Joshua Scott Ivester – missing since February 15th, 2021 (Oconee County Sheriff’s Office)
Tammy Elizabeth Stubblefield – missing since December 6th, 2019 (Walhalla Police Department)
Pamela Faith Roach – missing since February 4th, 2019 (Oconee County Sheriff’s Office)
Laura Ann Anders – missing since January 2nd, 2019 (Oconee County Sheriff’s Office)
Sheila Ann Carver – missing since June 16th, 1998 (Oconee County Sheriff’s Office)
Jimmy Whitfield – missing since March 7th, 1987 (Oconee County Sheriff’s Office)
“Two years ago, a Missing Persons Unit was established in our Criminal Investigations Bureau to investigate the missing person’s cases in the county, and that work continues” says Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw. “The Unit has followed up on leads that have come in as well as executed search warrants and consent searches at various locations across the county. Crimestoppers has also highlighted these cases previously on billboards at various locations in Oconee County.”
Sheriff Crenshaw also says that the Missing Person’s Unit has been proactive in releasing information publicly, when warranted and through the Public Information Office, when a person is reported missing. Those efforts have proven successful, which include locating a missing teenager who left her home in the Newry area earlier this week.
Plus, Murder and Kidnapping charges were filed last year against 56 year old Kevin Wayne Maler of Westminster in regards to the death of Kevin Kyle Craig in 2019. Investigators believe that Craig was murdered due to his knowledge of information in the Faith Roach missing person’s case.
“Some of the best intelligence in criminal investigations is human intelligence from those who have information and would be willing to share it with our Investigators,” says Sheriff Crenshaw. “We encourage those who have information to share it with us as those tips could help us solve these cases, which in turn will help the families of these missing persons who have been grieving for years due to concerns over their loved ones. We will never give up until these cases are solved.”
Anyone with any information on any of the Missing Person’s cases can leave an online tip with Crimestoppers, where you don’t have to give your name, at oconeesccrimestoppers.com.