Featured Cases

Paula Wade and her 3-year-old son, Brandon, went missing on October 13, 2002, but were not reported missing until the following day. Paula, who was 25-years-old at the time, was employed by Sam's Club in Valdosta, Georgia. Her co-workers became concerned about her whereabouts when she did not show up for her job as Paula never missed work. Her supervisor at the store sent someone to Paula's residence twice that morning to find her. Paula's vehicle, a 1998 Chevy Blazer, was there, but there was no sign of Paula or her son. Police officers responded to her apartment and contacted the landlord. A search of their apartment found neither mother nor child, only Paula’s car keys, wallet, purse and glasses, without which she was nearly blind. The only thing missing was Brandon’s car seat.
 
When law enforcement contacted Paula and Brandon's family, they said they did not know of anyone who would try to harm their daughter or grandson and that it was very odd that she had missed their weekly phone call the day prior. Police have concentrated their search on the apartment complex, posting flyers, interviewing residents and searching nearby woods for signs of foul play, but no leads have been uncovered.

 

At the time of her disappearance, Paula had received an approved transfer through Sam's Club for a new job in Kissimmee, Florida. Her father, mother, and husband were supposed to help her move the following week, but she disappeared. 

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In the summer of 2023, the FBI Atlanta Field Office joined Valdosta Police and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to work together to find new clues in the case.

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If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI's Atlanta Field Office at (770) 216-3000. You may also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.