LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) - Sixteen years have passed since a Lowndes County man vanished without a trace. His family says they have endured unimaginable heartbreak: losing a loved one without ever learning what happened to him. Now, as another anniversary comes and goes, they are still pleading for answers.

Dawn Cribb said, “There’s somebody...more than one somebody that knows what happened, and if they would just come forward and let the family know what happened so we can get past this.”

Keith Allen Rocheleau was watching his parents’ home in Brooks County while they were out of town in the summer of 2009.

When they returned on Aug. 7, 2009, they discovered that Rocheleau’s vehicle had been stuck in mud and abandoned. Signs revealed that he tried to free his vehicle by using his father’s vehicle, but the father’s vehicle was also found stuck and abandoned in the ditch. Found in his parents’ yard were his glasses, his cell phone, his hat and shoes.

Rocheleau’s ex-wife and mother of his three sons, Dawn Cribb, said she remembers Aug. 4, 2009, because it was the last day she saw Rocheleau.

She said, “The kids started school that week, and he was going to come by and bring me some money for school clothes. That day, he came by he told me that his parents were out of town, and he had their dog at his house. And he was going over there to check the mail...”

She said Rocheleau had just received a settlement for an accident, but he was complaining about money at the visit.

“There was something going on with him with money. Then we found out he had pawned one of his guns. He should not have been needing money. I don’t know if he owed somebody money, but there are several scenarios it could have been,” Cribb said.

When Cribb got a call from Rocheleau’s father a couple of days later, she knew her suspicions were right.

They went to Rocheleau’s home in Lowndes County where they found the family dog safe but alone. All of Rocheleau’s medications and other items were left behind. A steak was thawed on the counter. That’s when they reported him missing with Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO).

The next day, Aug. 8, 2009, the family and community began searching the wooded area near Rocky Ford Road, deeper into Brooks County. But they have lingering questions about two people in that area who they believe may have known what happened to Rocheleau.

“We would like to know what happened and where he is and be able to put him to rest, you know? And just have some answers,” Cribb said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was called to assist on Sept. 3, 2009. Cribb said an agent checks in with the family yearly, and LCSO continues to keep them updated.

Cribb and Rocheleau’s eldest son has passed away, and both of Rocheleau’s parents and all his siblings have passed. His two sons are still waiting for answers.

Cribb said, “For them to keep trying to live their lives and get past that...I mean they would love to know what happened.”

GBI continues to work the case. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office or submit an anonymous tip online at gbi.georgia.gov/node/774.

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