Left and Center: Hoover circa, 1991
Right: Age Progressed to age 43
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: November 22, 1991
Missing From: Heflin, Cleburne County, Alabama
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: January 23, 1973
Age: 18 years old
Height and Weight: 6’1″ and 220 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: African American Male, Black hair, Brown eyes, Hoover might use his middle name “Jerome” as his first name
NCMEC Number: 1252108
Details of Disappearance
Hoover was last seen in Heflin, Alabama on November 22nd 1991. He and his sister were helping their mother prepare for thanksgiving since she had just gotten a surgery on her knee. His sister noticed a red sports car pulled up to the house. Inside was a woman whom his mother previously told him to stay away from. He went out to see what was going on and he came back to say she had been sent by his brother to pick him up. Hoover’s mother trusted him and he left. He has never been seen or heard from again.
His older brother eventually returned home and claimed he sent no one to her Hoover and that he didn’t know this woman. They called everyone that knew Hoover but couldn’t find him. They reported him missing later on. His brother assumed that Hoover lied about being picked up so he could gain permission to leave with the woman. This hasn’t been confirmed.
The woman was questioned by police following his disappearance but there was no evidence to suggest anything suspicious happened to Hoover at the time. His sister believes that his disappearance could be drug related since he was involved with drugs at the time. She believes he might have fallen in with the wrong crowd. A tip did come in that Hoover’s remains were buried on a plot of land in Georgia. Searches with cadaver dogs proved fruitless. There’s been no sign of him since 1991.
The investigation into his disappearance was reopened in 2015 and the case has remained active ever since. The lead detective on his case happened to be an old friend of Hoover’s from high school, he and other investigators don’t believe he left on his own accord. His sister also doesn’t think so since they were extremely close with each other at the time.
At the time of his disappearance, Hoover was a high school senior and was a recognized football player. He had dreams of attending the University of Alabama on a football scholarship and eventually play professional football. His uncle, Grant, played on the New York Jets.
Hoover’s disappearance remains unsolved and foul play is suspected.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Heflin Police Department 256-463-2292
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children