STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
Cave City police and the family of 61-year-old John Adwell are asking for the public’s help as the search for the missing man reaches its eighth day.
Investigators say Adwell, who is from Cave City, was last confirmed on surveillance video on Wednesday, Sept. 2. This full story was first reported by our news partners, WNKY.
According to the Cave City Police Department, video located around 9 p.m. that night shows Adwell and another man in the far background near Gillenwater and First Street.
Officers say the footage is poor quality but they were able to identify Adwell based on his walker and the way he walks.
Police say they have spoken with the other man in the video.
According to investigators, that man told officers Adwell left his home after the video was recorded and walked in the direction of his own home around midnight or 1 a.m.
Adwell has not been seen since, according to police.
Investigating officer Billy Courtway with the Cave City Police Department said concern has grown as each day passes without contact.
“Once a person goes missing for five, six, seven days, the concern definitely elevates at that time,” Courtway told WNKY.
Family members say Adwell had recently suffered a severe stroke and has not mentally been the same since.
They say that history, combined with the length of time he has been missing, has them extremely worried about his safety.
According to his family, Adwell was last known to be wearing a red ball cap, black T-shirt, jeans and gray shoes.
Police say Adwell does not have a credit card and his phone was broken, which has made it harder for officers to track his movements or activity.
Courtway said several officers have volunteered extra hours to help search for Adwell, including over a recent holiday weekend.
He said some officers stayed after their shifts and others came in on their own time to assist, but that the department needs help from the community.
Police say that the area around Gillenwater and First Street is a common walking route for Adwell and that many people in the neighborhood may have seen him before.
Officers say they want to make it clear that while some of Adwell’s circle of friends are involved in drugs, their focus is not on drug activity.
“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,” Courtway said.
Family members are echoing that plea and urging anyone who knows where Adwell might be to come forward.
“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 his son, John Tyler.
“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 his sister, Betty Adwell.
“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 his son-in-law, Gary Miller.
Police are asking anyone who may have seen Adwell or has information about his whereabouts to call dispatch directly at 270-651-5151.
They say callers can remain anonymous.
Key Facts
– Cave City police say 61-year-old John Adwell has been missing for seven days
– Surveillance video from Sept. 2 shows his last confirmed sighting near Gillenwater and First Street
– A man seen with him told police Adwell later walked toward home around midnight or 1 a.m.
– Family says Adwell recently suffered a severe stroke and is not mentally the same
– Police say Adwell has no credit card and his phone was broken, complicating the search
– Officers are volunteering extra hours and asking anyone with information to call 270-651-5151 anonymously
