In 1988, This Kansas Teen Vanished After Attending A Pre-Graduation Party For A High School Classmate
Randy Wayne Leach grew up living on a 10-acre farm in Linwood, Kansas– a small town with a population of just 377.
At home, he loved caring for his many animals, including chickens, rabbits, a dog, a horse, and a pig affectionately named Porkchop.
And in school, Randy was a great student. He usually earned A’s and B’s on his work and played on the basketball team. He also tried out for the track team with hopes of beating the shot put record.
Outside of school, Randy thrived, too. He had an entrepreneurial mindset and launched his own lawn-moving service. In 1988, he even planned to cut lawns throughout the summer to save up before heading off to trade school in the fall.
However, on April 15 of that year, everything changed for the 17-year-old.
That morning started off cheerful, according to Randy’s parents, Harold and Alberta Leach.
The day before, Randy’s father had gifted him a new John Deere lawn tractor. So, on April 15, the teen was reportedly “in a good mood” and headed out to mow the lawn of a customer.
Then, upon returning home, Randy cut his own parents’ lawn for four and a half hours before cleaning the tractor and taking a shower.
Afterward, Randy had plans to head out that evening to attend a pre-graduation party. So, he left his home and headed to the celebration– which was hosted by a classmate, Kim Erwin, at the Erwin farm– and made a few stops along the way.
Facebook – pictured above is Randy
By the next morning, though, Randy never returned home. This pushed Harold and Alberta to contact the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Department and report their son missing.
It was determined that Randy was last seen at the pre-graduation party in the early morning hours of April 16. However, where he went afterward has remained a mystery.
Randy had traveled to the party in his mother’s car– a gray 1985 Dodge 600 4-door sedan.
Yet, following the launch of an investigation, no witnesses recalled seeing Randy or the vehicle leaving the party. Neither he nor the car has ever been located, either.
Randy’s loved ones have since created a Facebook page entitled “In Search of Randy Leach” to raise awareness about the case. But tragically, Randy’s parents have continued searching for answers.
“Day after day, Alberta searches for any piece of evidence, for any piece of hope. She will never give up searching for Randy,” one Facebook post from April 15 reads.
“We all pray for the day Randy is found, and Alberta can bring him home and lay him to rest. That is all she asks for. Someone knows. Someone can help her.”
At the time of Randy’s disappearance, he was six foot three and had brown hair. He would be 52 years old today.
Any tips that lead to the resolution of Randy’s case may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
If you have any information, you are urged to contact the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Department at (913) 682-5724.
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