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Paula Wade and her 3-year-old son, Brandon, went missing from Valdosta, Georgia, on October 13, 2002, though they were not reported missing until the following day. Paula, 25 at the time, worked at Sam’s Club and was known as a dependable employee who never missed a shift. When she failed to show up for work, her supervisor grew concerned and sent someone to her residence twice that morning. Paula’s 1998 Chevy Blazer was parked outside, but there was no sign of Paula or Brandon.
 

When police entered the apartment with assistance from the landlord, they discovered Paula’s car keys, wallet, purse, and glasses, all items she would not have left behind, especially since she was nearly blind without her glasses. The only item missing was Brandon’s car seat.
 

Family members told investigators that Paula had no known enemies and that it was extremely unusual for her to miss their regular weekly phone call. Law enforcement canvassed the apartment complex, distributed flyers, interviewed neighbors, and searched nearby wooded areas, but no substantial leads emerged.
 

At the time of her disappearance, Paula had recently been approved for a transfer to a new Sam’s Club position in Kissimmee, Florida, and was preparing to move the following week with help from her parents and husband.
 

In the summer of 2023, the FBI Atlanta Field Office joined the Valdosta Police Department and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to re-examine the case and search for new leads that could finally bring answers.
 

Paula’s family has never stopped searching for her and Brandon. For more than two decades, they have remained steadfast in their hope for answers and continue to advocate for renewed attention to their case.

 

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