Paducah Ky Cold Cases

05/06/2026

On Saturday, February 29, 1964, Mrs. Jean Smith entered the Broadway Liquor Store at the intersection of 11th and Broadway, which was owned by her friend, Mary Gillihan and her husband, F.E. Gillihan.
After hearing moans coming from the back room of the liquor store, Mrs. Smith went to investigate. Upon entering the back room of the liquor store, Mrs. Smith found the beaten body of Mary Gillihan.
At 6:15 pm, police were dispatched to the business, upon their arrival, they immediately summoned an ambulance. Mrs. Gillihan was transported to Western Baptist Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
The initial assessment of the crime scene concluded with evidence supporting that Mrs. Gillihan had been caught off guard by her attacker. She was found laying towards the left with her head covered with a coat. It is believed the assailant struck Mrs. Gillihan with the stock of a shotgun, which appears to have knocked her out. Then repeated blows to the head.
The investigation commenced promptly following the incident. Several individuals who were considered potential suspects were interviewed within days of the murder. A reward totaling approximately $4,000 was established through contributions from various organizations and local business owners, including the Kentucky Wholesale Liquor Dealers Association, McCracken County Alcohol Beverage Association, the local union teamsters, grocer Wayne Sullivan, and multiple Paducah beer distributors.
To this day, this case has not been solved. I understand that several years have passed, but the family is hoping the case will be solved.
If you or anyone you know has information regarding this case, contact the Paducah Police Department General Investigations Unit at 270-443-8553 or Crime Stoppers at 270-443-TELL. If you are uncomfortable with reaching out to the police, feel free to message Paducah Ky Cold Cases via Facebook messenger or through e-mail- [email protected]

05/04/2026

The disappearance of Sandra Kay Travis from Graves County, KY in 2005 remains an unsolved case after nearly 21 years. Mrs. Travis was last seen in Mayfield, KY on July 31, 2005, but was not reported missing until August 21, 2005, when her husband, Bobby Travis, stated he had not seen her since July 17, 2005.
During the initial investigation, Mr. Travis provided inconsistent statements regarding his wife's whereabouts. He initially informed family members that Mrs. Travis had passed away while visiting her daughter in another state. Subsequently, he claimed to have witnessed her entering a semi-truck with an unidentified individual. Mr. Travis declined to undergo a polygraph examination after acknowledging to detectives that he had previously misrepresented facts.
Shortly after Mrs. Travis was reported missing, Mr. Travis vacated the residence they shared. In 2007, investigators searched a pond near the Travis home following an anonymous tip, but found no evidence related to the case. Further inquiries in 2019 revealed that a large concrete pad had been poured in front of the home after Mr. Travis left. Upon removal of the pad, authorities again found no relevant evidence.
Prior to his death, Mr. Travis maintained that Mrs. Travis had left with a truck driver from Carbondale, IL, although her family disputes this claim. The family continues to seek information regarding her disappearance and urges anyone with knowledge of the case to contact the Graves County Sheriff’s Department at 270-247-4501 or Crime Stoppers at 270-443-TELL (270-443-8355).

05/03/2026

With all the new followers on this page, I feel the need to make this post. BE KIND!
I have never hid my identity. My name is Krissy. I created this page initially because I had asked for help/info regarding my grandmother's cold case, I was told I couldnt post "negativity" on their page.
I have been searching for answers since I was a teenager. I have been told to "drop it, leave it alone or let it be" by several people. I will not do that.
Each and every person listed on my page, is important. There is no need to comment about one's character. (Those comments are immediately deleted) I have never had to block anyone on this page, I do not want to start. We're all here because we have a loved one's whose case hasn't been solved. Yes, I understand that these cases are not only from Paducah. I will share any unsolved case from any county, although I will try to keep it to western KY. I also will post a case that is recent or 100 yrs ago, as I feel they deserve justice. I do this in my free time. I do not get paid nor will I ever charge or accept money for sharing a case.
I truly appreciate all the likes, follows and shares on this page. My only goal is to try & help a family get closure. The more shares of the posts, the greater chance a case may get solved. Just please be kind and respectful. We all want answers.

05/03/2026

More than seventy-two years have passed since the body of W.A. “Willie” Holloway was discovered following his murder. At the time, Mr. Holloway was employed as a night watchman at the Paducah Box and Basket Company factory.
Mr. Holloway was well liked by his coworkers with whom he had worked with for 4 years at the factory. Holloway was also a deacon at Wise Baptist Church.
Mr. Holloway’s body was discovered by a colleague shortly after 7:00 am on March 13th,1954. Initial findings suggested his death resulted from a random act of violence; however, subsequent investigation identified robbery as the primary motive, with $20 missing from Mr. Holloway’s wallet. The Paducah Box and Basket Company is located adjacent to several areas commonly referred to as "hobo jungles," which served as campsites for individuals experiencing transience or homelessness. Authorities believe that the perpetrator(s) may have originated from one of these encampments. Numerous interviews were conducted with transient and vagrant individuals, but they did not yield any significant leads.
To this day, this case has not been solved. I understand that several years have passed, but the family is hoping the case will be solved.
If you or anyone you know has information regarding this case, contact the Paducah Police Department General Investigations Unit at 270-443-8553 or Crime Stoppers at 270-443-TELL. If you are uncomfortable with reaching out to the police, feel free to message Paducah Ky Cold Cases via Facebook messenger or through e-mail- [email protected]

Picture of Mr. Willie Holloway & his wife.

04/30/2026

These are the cold cases (missing & murdered) that I have been asked to share. I'm endlessly working on these cases. If you have any information or pictures to share of the people, please don't hesitate to message or email me- @gmail.com
Someone, somewhere knows something.
Andrew Blakey
Paul Anderson
Joe Puckett
Jose Maria Cortez Moreno
Shytarious Pearson
Michelle Gray
Timothy B. Baker
Jack Levernon Waldrop
Sheila Anita Cooper
Lee Phillip Haught
Samantha Sperry
Jonathan David Mahan
Sandra Kay Travis
Bevelene Williams
Tyler Drake Morgan
Brandi Nicole Osborne
Jacob Wayne Vinson
Tracy L. Tackwell
Sonya Bradley
Jamie Blake
Margaret S Anderson
Joseph Bachuss
A.B. Long
Tommy Ham
Anna Brantley
Lorea Robertson
Lois McCain
Corey Campbell
Judy Wright
Eugene "Happy" Thomas
Undrea Donald
Frank Shemwell
Randall Burgess
Ernie Hailey Jr.
Issac Tharp

04/30/2026

‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

Good morning everyone! As most of you know, I run this page alone. Due to the influx of followers, I can admit I'm in over my head. I never realized how many missing or murder cases were unsolved, not only in Paducah but all of Western KY. It's so heartbreaking for all the friends & family members.
Since I run this page alone, please bear with me. Your loved ones case is important to me. I just get overwhelmed & a little depressed.
A few years ago, a woman wanted to be my admin. Thirty minutes into our conversation, I realized she was not a good fit when she was basically wanting to make money off the family members. She claimed she was also psychic. I am not about that on any level. That whole ordeal has caused me to not want an admin, in reality, I do need help.
I try to be as Transparent as possible. I do not work for any level of law enforcement agency. But I have no problem being the messenger, if one wants to send info regarding a case. Your name will not be shared.
Since I'm considering adding an admin, if you would like to help, send a message via messenger or email' [email protected].
How much time can you spend on this page?
Are you willing to reach out to family members?
Are you willing to be completely confidential with info provided to this page? (No screenshots to your little friends)
Are you comfortable with speaking to detectives and other members of law enforcement?
Those are just a few things to consider.
There are 20 more cases that have been sent or emailed to me. Please know that I am working on it.

04/29/2026

This morning, while researching some of the cold cases, I found cases that I have never even heard anything about. This is very heartbreaking to me. Every case should be solved. Someone, somewhere knows something.

Randall Burgess
On July 31, 1987, Randall Burgess, was a victim of a hit and run on Clarks River Road. He passed away from his injuries four days later. Witnesses identified the vehicle as a light colored, older model car.
Issac "Ike" Tharp-
On February 10, 1986, Mr. Tharp was found shot to death in his home on KY 1241. No weapon was ever recovered. There was no forced entry and the only items missing were money and a ring.
Ernie Hailey Jr.-
On January 26, 1996, three state highway workers found the of Mr. Hailey in a ditch along Pool Rd in Paducah, KY. It was determined that Mr. Hailey was murdered.

the photo below is Ernie Hailey.

04/26/2026

🚨 **MISSING PERSON — PUBLIC ASSISTANCE NEEDED** 🚨

The **McCracken County Sheriff's Office** is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing man.

**Joshua T. Williams, 40**, was last seen around **1:00 PM on April 26** at his residence in the Lone Oak area of **McCracken County**. His last contact with family was before leaving the residence in a **2026 gray Honda Civic**.

**Description:**
• White male
• 6’0”, approx. 200 lbs
• Brown shaved hair, brown eyes
• Last seen wearing a light blue short sleeve shirt and black pants

He is believed to possibly be in the **Graves County** or McCracken County area.

If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

🙏 Please share to help bring him home.

04/24/2026

An arrest was made pertaining to the 1984, Lisa Ann Carnes homicide case. Lisa was found deceased in a rural field near Metropolis, Illinois.

76-year-old, George Bradfield, has been arrested and charged with the homicide of Lisa Carnes. State Attorney, Josh Stratemeyer stated that advances in forensic technology led to this arrest. Bradfield is currently in the Owensboro, Kentucky jail. He is being held without bond.

Credit to Sarah Boyles, Freelance Journalist ll

‼️‼️‼️‼️UPDATE‼️‼️‼️‼️
An arrest was made pertaining to the 1984, Lisa Ann Carnes homicide case. Lisa was found deceased in a rural field near Metropolis, Illinois.

76-year-old, George Bradfield, has been arrested and charged with the homicide of Lisa Carnes. State Attorney, Josh Stratemeyer stated that advances in forensic technology led to this arrest. Bradfield is currently in the Owensboro, Kentucky jail. He is being held without bond.

Credit to Sarah Boyles, Freelance Journalist ll

This case was added by a follower, Brandi Riley. It doesn't show up on the main feed.

Although this isnt Paducah, its right across the river!

Twenty-six year old Lisa Carnes was found brutally murdered in Massac County, Illinois on March 30th, 1984.

She was found around 3pm that day in a field north of Metropolis, which is on the Illinois/Kentucky border. She had been shot to death. Authorities have admitted that even a timeline of events for Lisa’s last hours has been difficult to come by, though they have determined that she was seen out and about in Karnak, her home town, the night before.

Her truck would later be found about four miles from where her body was found, with her clothes found between where she was and the road. It’s believed that Lisa likely was alive for sometime after being shot, as a large amount of blood was found on the porch of an abandoned farmhouse, it’s believed she had made it to the house seeking help- when she found no one there she then fled back through the field.

Lisa’s life might have ended that day, but she was more than just a victim. Lisa was a mother and a wife when she was killed. She has been described as sweet, loving, and close to her family. Lisa and her children deserve to know what happened to her.

If you have any information about the murder of Lisa Carnes, please contact Illinois State Police at (618) 845-3740.



©️Cold Case America, 2020

12/18/2025

Hopkinsville KY

💔🌙 “Kimera hasn’t been seen since December 5, and every hour that passes without news breaks her family’s heart. Please, if you see her, help bring her home safely.”

Kimera Trea was last seen on December 5, 2025, around 5:30 p.m. in the Denzil Drive area of Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Her loved ones and local authorities are urgently asking for the public’s help — every tip could make a difference.

🚨 MISSING TEEN ALERT — KIMERA TREA 🚨
Kimera may have traveled to Hopkinsville, KY; Oak Grove, KY; or Clarksville, TN. Law enforcement is actively searching known hangouts and working with schools and School Resource Officers.

📌 KEY DETAILS
– Name: Kimera Trea
– Missing Since: December 5, 2025
– Missing From: Hopkinsville, Kentucky
– Identification Features: Limited information available

☎️ If you see Kimera or have information:
Call ECC (Emergency Communications Center): 270-890-1300 immediately.

🙏 Please share widely — every post could help bring Kimera home safely.