Cave City man missing for 7 days, family pleads for his safe return
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Wednesday marks seven days since John Adwell went missing in Cave City.
Cave City Police Department and the 61-year-old’s family are urging the public for help.
On Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 9 p.m., officials located video surveillance footage in the area of Gillenwater and First Street that depicts Adwell and another man in the far background.
The video is extremely poor quality, but police do confirm the man in the video is Adwell, recognizing his walker and walking gait.
Police have spoken to the other man, who says Adwell left his home after that recording and headed in the direction of his home around midnight or 1 a.m.
“Once a person goes missing for five, six, seven days, the concern definitely elevates at that time,” said Billy Courtway, the investigating officer for Cave City Police Department.
Police say Adwell’s circle of friends are involved in drugs but want to make it extremely clear that officers’ priority is Adwell’s safety, not drugs.
“At this point, that is not our focus. Our focus is just locating John, make sure he’s safe, and just, really, getting him home to his family,” said Courtway.
According to Adwell’s family, he was wearing a red ball cap, black T-shirt, jeans and gray shoes.
Police say Adwell does not own a credit card, and his phone was broken, so the search has been exponentially more difficult.
“This past weekend, we had several guys stay after their shift was supposed to be over. We had guys that come in and it was a holiday weekend. We actually had guys come in and donate their time to just volunteer. They would just show up, say, ‘Hey, I’m just here, volunteer. I want to try to help.’ So I can’t thank the guys enough. I’m really proud of our agency at this time on the effort that we’re putting forward. Unfortunately, we do just need a little help from the public at this time,” said Courtway.
According to the family, Adwell had recently suffered a severe stroke and has not mentally been the same since, so they are extremely concerned.
“ If you are out there and you’re okay, Dad, just contact somebody and let us know in place. We’re all worried to death. We love you,” said John Tyler, Adwell’s son.
“John, if you’re out there, please come home. Come home to all of us. If anybody knows anything, anything, please let us know. Drop it off in the mailbox or anything,” said Betty Adwell, John Adwell’s sister.
“Somebody somewhere knows something, has seen something. And we appreciate you stepped forward. Anything is helpful. Maybe it’s not, you think it’s not, but you don’t never know where that could lead. So, please, reach out if possible,” said Gary Miller, Adwell’s son-in-law.
Police say that area was a common walking spot for Adwell, and many people in the area likely have seen him around before and may have seen something that night.
Police say if you have information, you can call dispatch directly at 270-651-5151 to report anonymously.
