Wade Dean Taylor was last seen walking into the Chihuahuan desert almost a decade ago.
Now, his family is reinvigorating search efforts for the Marine Corps veteran and father with two new billboards in Alamogordo.
“We hope the renewed visibility will put Wade’s face and case details back in front of the community, generate new tips, and encourage anyone with information about what happened to finally come forward to law enforcement,” Wade’s sister Crystal Taylor wrote in an email to the Alamogordo News.
“Most importantly, these billboards keep hope alive for our family that answers will be found and that Wade will finally be brought home.”
The billboards advertise a family sponsored $5,000 reward for anyone who can provide information that will lead to the location or recovery of Wade Taylor, or the conviction of the person, or persons, responsible for his disappearance on May 6, 2017.
Wade Taylor, a native of Illinois, had come to reside in Alamogordo after being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in 2004. He served as a Marine for 4 years, and his time in the service included a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
He was 38 years old when he disappeared.
He was last officially seen by officials at the Otero County Detention Center, according to a press release provided by his family. He was not a prisoner and had approached the center voluntarily.
He was visibly injured as he approached the center, although the extent of his injuries has not been specified by investigators at the Alamogordo Police Department.
ADP did not immediately respond to a call or visit from the Alamogordo News for more details.
He was wearing only underwear. He asked for water and a pair of sandals. He said that someone had been chasing him. He acted as though he was under the influence of alcohol, law enforcement told NBC News in 2017. (An Inspection of Public Records Act request has been filed with the detention center to determine if any other details are publicly available).
After drinking the water provided to him by detention center staff, Wade Taylor walked north into the desert.
What happened next is a mystery to both police and the Taylor family.
“Extensive searches across Otero County by the Alamogordo Police Department and family have yielded no results,” the family press release said, “and undisclosed persons of interest remain part of the active investigation.”
There are a number of theories about what happened to him. Foul play is suspected by many investigators, Crystal Taylor said. Some believe that he may have been experiencing a dissociative event stemming from his injuries or combat-related PTSD.
The family believes that additional information is out there. They hope that some who have not spoken to the police in the past will come forward today.
“Someone knows something,” their billboards reads.
For Wade Taylor’s family, any information about his status would be welcome.
“It has been 9 painful years of an empty chair during the holidays, unresolved grief and a continuous search for answers,” Crystal Taylor said. “Every day our family faces the exact same agonizing question: Where is Wade Dean Taylor?”
The billboard located at 1109 10th Street was donated by Lindmark Outdoor Media for four weeks. The billboard located at 2114 N. Scenic Drive was donated by John Hurt of local radio station Rock 97.9 for eight weeks.
“We are endlessly grateful for the incredible, tireless community of advocates behind us — their unwavering passion, voice, and dedication to helping the families of the missing and murdered are truly powerful and inspiring!” Crystal Taylor said.
She continues to work on grant applications for programs that would bring more attention to Wade’s case.
“Wade still matters,” the family press release said. “His story still matters. And our search for him is not over.”
Wade’s physical description: 5’11’ and 265 lbs, with black hair and hazel eyes. Tattoos: A United States Marine Corps emblem on his left arm, a dragon on his arm, and a Grim Reaper on his forearm.
If you have any information, please contact: Alamogordo Police Department at 575-439-4300 or Submit a tip to Otero County Crime Stoppers at 575-295-9990
