Family Seeks Answers After Missing Birmingham Man Vanishes
It’s hard to imagine the heartache a family goes through when a loved one simply disappears. In Birmingham, the family of Lee Curtis Vanderbilt is feeling that pain deeply. More than two years have now passed since this 41-year-old man went missing, and his loved ones are growing increasingly desperate for answers.
Last Seen on a Dismal Day
Lee was last spotted on July 20, 2022. He left his home in the 1600 block of 31st Street in Ensley around 8:30 a.m. that morning. Just the day before, he had been at his mother’s house. Joe Ann Walton, his mother, recalls that day vividly: “It was a dreary day. He wasn’t acting right. He was anxious or nervous about something.”
Joe Ann remembers how Lee popped by for a drink and a little cash. “He always came over to visit. On that day, I gave him $5.” Unfortunately, that was the last time she would see her son.
A Sudden Disappearance
When Joe Ann went to the hospital the next day, Lee’s girlfriend reached out to ask if she’d seen him. After waking Lee up that morning, his girlfriend left for work, and no one—family, friends, or acquaintances—has heard from him since.
“When I got back home, he still hadn’t showed up. It’s been hard on me because I’m used to seeing him every day, or at least every other day,” Joe Ann shared, her eyes brimming with sorrow.
Uncharacteristic Behavior
Joe Ann emphasizes that it’s incredibly unlike Lee to just disappear without a word. “He wouldn’t leave the area without saying something to me or his girlfriend. They had been together for years,” she remarked. Lee was known to be a good-hearted person, always checking in on family, and it’s painful to think about him being away for so long.
“I just feel like he’s gone. Because whatever was going on, my son would have been back to my house,” she asserted. Imagine the weight on a mother’s heart when she feels that absence every single day. “It’s been on my mind every day since that day,” Joe Ann lamented.
Police Consideration
Authorities are taking Lee’s case seriously; they have classified his disappearance as suspicious. The police have provided a description to aid in the search: Lee is a Black male, standing 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black shirt with camouflage sleeves, camouflage shorts, and Nautica sandals.
A Plea for Information
With no leads and no sightings, Joe Ann, along with the rest of the family, is constantly searching for answers. They’re asking anyone with information about Lee’s disappearance to step forward. “If anyone knows anything, we just need to hear something—anything,” Joe Ann urged.
If you have any information, you are encouraged to contact the police by calling 911 or 205-328-9311. Every little detail can make a difference, and maybe, just maybe, we can help bring Lee Curtis Vanderbilt back to his family.
As this heartbreaking story reminds us, the love of a family is unbreakable, even in the face of uncertainty. Let’s hope for a resolution that can ease the pain of a mother and her family who only want to know what happened to their beloved Lee.
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
