Left and Center: Randy circa, 1980
Right: Age Progressed to age 49
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: August 16, 1980
Missing From: Visalia, Kenton County, Kentucky
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: September 6, 1962
Age: 17 years old
Height and Weight: 5’9″ and 149 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian Male, Brown hair, Hazel eyes, Randy has a birthmark on the crown area of his head, he also has a scar above his left eye as well as a surgical scar on his right knee, a scar on his left elbow which was reported to be from an old fracture, Randy has the letter “R” tattooed on his forearm, it was said to be crooked, Randy wore a beard on his chin at the time of his disappearance, 4 of Randy’s teeth had apparently not erupted by the time of his disappearance and he may be wearing a crown on one of them
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A black shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and work shoes
NCMEC Number: 601897
Details of Disappearance
Randy Sellers was last seen on August 16th 1980 in Visalia, Kentucky. The previous night, Randy was picked up by Kenton County Sheriffs officers because he got into a fistfight at the Kenton County Fair in Independence, Kentucky. He was charged with disorderly conduct and public intoxication.
Officers also believed that Randy was under the influence of drugs as he struck one of the officers while being out in the squad car. The police dropped him off about one mile away from his home in Visalia, Kentucky. Some reports indicate that Randy gave the officers unclear directions to his home while others indicate that he was dropped off at the location as a favor to him.
Randy never arrived home and was never seen or heard from again. Authorities initially believed that the teen had simply walked into the Licking River and drowned by accident. Authorities found footprints near the river which would’ve matched a pair owned by Randy’s family. Authorities now believe that the boot prints were from people who helped search for Randy. Coincidentally, Randy’s brother, Tyran Reynard Cotton, drowned in the Ohio River off River Road near Springtown, Kentucky in December of 1991.
Authorities do not believe that Randy drowned but rather met with foul play. Donald LeRoy Evans, a former drifter and serial killer, is the prime suspect in Randy’s disappearance. Evans claimed that he picked up Randy along Kentucky Route 177 and then took him to the Kincaid State Park where he shot and disposed of Randy’s remains.
Evans would also claim responsibility or the 1983 abduction and murder of Kimberly Dawn McClaskey who was presumably taken from Illinois in 1983. Her remains were found in 1989 but could not be identified until 2006. He’s also been charged with the murders of various other women and was sentenced to death for the Mississippi 1991 abduction and murder of 10 year old Beatrice Louise Routh.
Authorities searched the park for Randy’s remains in 1994 but could not locate them. Donald refused to reveal where Randy’s remains were located and died on January 5th 1999. Evans was never charged with Randy’s abduction and murder although he confessed to both.
His mother believes that Randy hitched a ride with Evans to go to the park and see her as she was visiting a friend at a location near the park. Evans drew a creed but very accurate map of the park.
Randy’s case remains unsolved and foul play is suspected. Authorities continue to search for him. They believe his body is somewhere in the State Park.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Kenton County Sheriffs Office 606-356-3895
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children