Golden Alert issued for missing Ohio man

A Golden Alert has been issued for Randall Alan Walker, who went missing about 3 a.m. Tuesday at the Kentucky Welcome Center off I-75 in Whitley County.

A Golden Alert has been issued for an Ohio man, who went missing at the Kentucky Welcome Center off I-75 early Tuesday morning.

Randall Alan Walker, 54, disappeared about 3 a.m. at the northbound rest area near the Kentucky/Tennessee line.

Walker has bi-polar symptoms when off his medications, which he left behind in the vehicle he was traveling in along with his cane, according to the alert.

Walker was traveling with family and they were separated at the Welcome Center, according to the alert.

Walker is a white male, who is 5’8” tall and weighs about 145 pounds. He has short gray hair, brown eyes and multiple scars on his back from surgeries.

He was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt, blue jeans, a black fleece jacket and hiking boots.

The Whitley County Sheriff’s Department is working the case currently.

Whitley County Emergency Director Danny Moses said that Walker was reported missing to authorities about 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Moses said that he checked restaurants and gas stations in nearby Jellico, but there was no sign of Walker.

In addition, about 12 – 15 searchers from South Whitley Volunteer Fire Department, Williamsburg Fire and Rescue, Kentucky Emergency Management searched the grassy area and woods near the rest area but there was no evidence that Walker went towards the river or woods.

“He has a habit of getting in other people’s cars,” Moses noted.

He said the working theory is that Walker may have hitched a ride with someone.

After “exhausting” all their means, rescue officials ceased their active search of the scene about 3:15 p.m. and issued the Golden Alert for Walker, Moses said.

He said authorities are still optimistic that he will be found safe and sound.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Whitley County E911 by calling 911 or 549-6017.

Sgt. Todd Shelley is leading the investigation and was assisted by Chief Deputy Tim Baker.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Whitley County E911 by calling 911 or 549-6017.