Family Keeps Hope Alive with Billboards in Search for Missing Man
In a determined effort to keep the memory of their loved one alive, the family of a man who disappeared in 2009 amidst devastating floods in Georgia has raised funds to place his face on billboards along northbound Interstate 75, ensuring that he “won’t be forgotten” even 14 years after his mysterious disappearance.
Amanda Rickles, the niece of Brian Wehrle, expressed her hope that these billboards would help maintain the conversation about his disappearance and possibly yield new information. She stated, “Maybe details will come up.”
Brian Wehrle, 39 at the time of his disappearance, was last seen on September 27, 2009, when he failed to appear for a probate court hearing in Carrollton, Georgia. The purpose of the hearing was to sign paperwork as the executor of his parents’ estate.
Three months later, his abandoned 1993 Buick LeSabre was discovered in Chattanooga, with the car’s key still in the ignition, according to information released by the FBI. Authorities suspect foul play in his disappearance.
Rickles emphasized that her uncle had no known connections to Chattanooga, nor any apparent reason to be there. “It just seems like he disappeared into thin air,” she lamented. “In the 14 years since he’s been missing, there’s been no hits on his social, no sightings, just absolutely nothing. His medications were left at the house, his bags, absolutely everything of his.”
Wehrle’s wallet has never been recovered.
Sgt. Meredith Browning of the Carrollton Police Department disclosed that some partial fingerprints were found in the vehicle but were not of sufficient quality to be entered into the fingerprint database for identification.
Before his disappearance, Wehrle had been at his parents’ home in Carrollton, approximately 50 miles west of Atlanta, for several days. On September 23, the day he last spoke to Rickles after mowing his parents’ lawn, he complained about the flooding conditions that had slowed his drive from Atlanta. On his return trip, he planned to chart a route on a map to avoid the worst of the flooding.
Per the National Weather Service, the flooding, brought on by more than 21 inches of rainfall on September 20-21, 2009, caused over $500 million in property damage and affected more than 20,000 homes and businesses. Tragically, ten lives were lost, including eight individuals who perished while driving on flooded roads.
Browning noted that the last individuals known to have seen Wehrle alive were his sister, Anita, and her husband, Spencer. Neighbors reported seeing a light on in his sister’s garage at 2 a.m., assuming it was Wehrle leaving late. However, law enforcement could not confirm if it was indeed him.
After cadaver K-9s alerted officers to a boathouse near Wehrle’s parents’ residence in 2015, a warrant was obtained to search the premises, but no relevant evidence was uncovered.
Driven by newfound interest generated by podcasts such as “The Fall Line” and “Crime Junkies,” Rickles initiated a GoFundMe campaign to finance additional billboards. She has raised nearly $3,000 so far, with the aim of reaching $8,000, at which point any surplus funds will be allocated towards hiring a private investigator.
Rickles passionately stated, “There’s someone out there that did it, was involved in it or who knows, and we deserve answers.” The relentless pursuit of answers continues for Brian Wehrle’s family, as they strive to keep his memory alive and uncover the truth behind his disappearance.