The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Montrose County Sheriff’s Office are seeking help in a cold case involving the disappearance of a Nucla man 20 years ago.
On May 27, 1999, Dale Duane Williams went missing after he apparently received a phone call from a stranded motorist requesting assistance. Williams owned a body shop in the Western Slope town of Nucla at the time.
Before traveling to the location of the unidentified motorist, Williams stopped at a local business for a short discussion about a job he was scheduled to start, according to the investigation. He was last seen in a family market in Naturita wearing a blue T-shirt and blue jeans.
Williams was reported missing the next day. His 1994 white Ford truck was found submerged at the confluence of the San Miguel and Dolores rivers by a group of swimmers in July 1999, but there were no signs of Williams.
“We believe learning more information about the motorist who called Mr. Williams is a critical part of this investigation, but we are looking for any details regarding his disappearance,” said CBI Agent Brooks Bennett. “Although two decades have passed, we continue to actively work this case and hope that someone will come forward with that key piece of information that will help determine what happened to Mr. Williams.”
Foul play is suspected in Williams’ disappearance, according to the CBI. He was on his way to assist a stranded motorist or to meet an unknown female.
The family and law enforcement have been working together for two decades to find out what happened to Williams. This month is the 20th anniversary of his disappearance.
“Cold cases are always on our radar, and this one is still active,” said Susan Medina, a CBI spokeswoman. “The anniversary is a good time to publicly engage our community in the hopes a memory is sparked that leads to a pivotal piece of evidence.”
She said no piece of evidence is too small.
“Anything you may have heard in a conversation, or saw driving in the area could assist investigators,” Medina said.
A witness overheard the phone call Williams received from the “stranded motorist,” who said they were broken down less than a mile east of the Bedrock store, according to an investigation by Unsolved Mysteries. Missing posters of Williams put up in the local post office were repeatedly torn down. The person was questioned, but denied any involvement in the disappearance and had an alibi, according to the Montrose County Sheriff.
To report a tip in connection with this case, please call the CBI Grand Junction Regional Office at 970-248-7500.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
