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Michael Jefferson Adams
Disappeared from Abilene, Texas
June 8, 1987
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Here's what we know about the last few moments that his family had contact with him:
When Michael arrived home, about 11:30 PM, he parked his car in the driveway, and then walked into the street, where a small, older-model 2-door brown or gray GM with opera windows sat idling. This car possibly had a malfunctioning headlight, or was signaling others that Mike had arrived. Mike's sister Beverly woke up and saw her brother, through her window, standing next to the car speaking with the occupants. Assuming he was simply talking with some friends, Beverly turned away from the window, and went back to sleep. Police
believe there was likely only one occupant in the car, though tips generally place two people in the car.
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The next morning, Mike's car had been left in the same spot where he parked it. As was their custom, Mike was supposed to switch his car around with another family car. Mike's wallet was found inside the house. Nothing was reported missing from the wallet, and Mike had no known money with him.
Beverly was the last known person to have seen Mike alive. She did not witness anything that would indicate that Michael was in any immediate danger. Mike had not been apprehensive about approaching this vehicle.
There are at least two people that Michael knew at the time who owned a car that fits this description - one a former friend and classmate, another an M-System co-worker.
Numerous polygraph tests were issued in the months following Mike's disappearance. However, the test for one of the owners of the cars that fit the above description received a "pass", while a test was never issued to the owner of the other car. One other test given to a co-worker proved inconclusive. All other tests issued to friends, co-workers and acquaintances received a "pass".
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Matching Cars:
The car to the left generally fits the profile that was provided to investigators by Beverly. Since it was was late evening, the car could have been any number of dark colors, including black, brown, red or maroon. There were only a limited number of models from that time period that would have had two doors and opera windows as a standard feature. The car that Beverly most likely saw was either a 1973-1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, or an Oldsmobile, most likely a Cutlass or Toronado series. Michael's co-worker, Chito Alardin, had a Monte Carlo that matched this description.
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Additional Information:
Numerous tips have come in over the years suggesting that Mike had been taken to the Fort Phantom dam area, assaulted and murdered. However, Mike was generally consistent in informing his father where has was going and who he was with whenever he would be out for a long period of time. Given that Fort Phantom is more than 30 miles away from Mike's home on Peach Street, and given the time of day, it's just as likely that Mike was told he was needed for something back at the store, and thought he would be making a quick trip back to 12th and Mockingbird Lane before returning to Peach Street. Mike also did not enter the house to retrieve his wallet, which would be unusual had Mike thought he would be out for some time.
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Other tips have suggested that Mike was taken to a nearby house where he thought he would be making a short, friendly visit, around the 16th street area. Mike may have also been under the impression that he would be driving around for a short while just to visit with the driver in the car that Beverly saw.
There are numerous reasons why Mike may have gotten in that car that evening. Two things are certain; Mike knew the driver and was comfortable enough with them to not only approach their car, but actually lean into it. Mike would not have approached a stranger, nor would he be leaning on the car of a person he was not comfortable with.
Mike was a good guy who never set out to hurt anyone. A young man that had an entire lifetime ahead of him, filled with promise. He was at a point where he could take his pick of life's many paths. We are at a loss as to why anyone would want to harm this young man.
Ultimately, someone knows what happened to Michael Adams. Isn't it time you came forward? If you are out there, and you have some information, we are not asking for you to identify yourself - just that you
help find him and bring closure to the many people in his life that still care for him.
At the very least, Mr. and Mrs. Adams deserve to know what happened to their boy.
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