Cold
Cases
September, 1983
Debbie Eckles Murder Investigation
In 1983, 20-year old Debbie Eckles was found unresponsive inside of her home located in the Walkertown section of Hazard on Turner Avenue. She was stabbed multiple times. It was very obvious from the beginning of this investigation that Debbie personally knew her killer. We wish to solve this case for multiple reasons. Chiefly of which, to bring closure to Debbie's living family members. Even though over 30 years have passed, we believe that the person responsible for Debbie's murder is still out there and may even be reading this statement. NOW IS THE TIME TO BRING CLOSURE. If you or anyone you know has information regarding this crime, you are encouraged to contact the HPD directly or submit an anonymous tip.
January, 2008
Marion Estep Murder Investigation
On January, 10th 2008, police found Marion Estep shot several times in his car near Exit 56 along the Hal Rogers Parkway. He died later at Hazard ARH Hospital. This murder occurred in broad daylight and it is suspected that Marion knew his killer. Even though several years have passed, we believe that the person responsible for Marion's murder is still out there and may even be reading this statement. NOW IS THE TIME TO BRING CLOSURE. Even though the original investigating agency is the Perry County Sheriff's Office, you can submit any information you have regarding this murder to the HPD. If you or anyone you know has information regarding this crime, you are encouraged to contact the HPD directly or submit an anonymous tip.
Missing, Endangered
January, 1994
Joel Mark Wells
Date of Birth: September 2, 1972
Photos taken in 1994
Age at Time of Disappearance: 21 years old
Height and Weight: 6'0, 160 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian male. Brown hair, blue eyes. Wells may go by his middle name, Mark.
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A blue flannel shirt, a black denim jacket, blue jeans, a green baseball cap with a hemp plant insignia, and tan and green hiking boots.
Wells was last seen in Hazard, Kentucky on January 15, 1994. He got into an argument with a group of friends. He walked away from them and went to a Burger King restaurant at Black Gold Shopping Center. Wells banged on the door of the establishment, which was in the process of closing. He appeared panicked and was acting as if someone was after him. The employees at the Burger King called the police, who arrived within minutes, but by then Wells was gone. There was also a Wal-Mart store at the shopping center, and Wells apparently attempted to catch a ride with customers exiting the store after he was last seen at the Burger King. Tracker dogs caught his scent near the river behind the city hall, but a search of the area turned up no indication of his whereabouts. Wells disappeared less than 24 hours after a gas station on Main Street in Hazard was robbed and its attendant shot to death. The murderer was convicted and sentenced to twenty-five years to life in prison. Authorities investigated the possibility that Wells's disappearance was related to the earlier murder, but could find no evidence to support this theory. Wells is one of fourteen children and left behind two sons. His case remains unsolved.