The Howard Barnett disappearance remains one of Memphis’s most troubling unsolved missing person cases. Nearly eight years after he vanished, family members are still searching for answers about what happened to the devoted father known to loved ones as “Nookie” or “Rico.”
On the morning of July 18, 2017, Howard Vardaman Barnett did something many parents do every day. He dropped off lunch for his daughters at their summer camp before continuing with plans for the rest of his day.
Howard was driving his white 2005 Honda Odyssey and intended to visit a cousin in Germantown, Tennessee. According to family members, it appeared to be a routine day.
He never arrived.
As the hours passed, concern began to grow. Howard never called his family. He never checked in. He never returned home.
For those who knew him best, the silence was alarming.
Family members say it was completely out of character for Howard to go without contacting his children, relatives, or his mother. As concern intensified, loved ones began searching for answers.
Howard Barnett Disappearance Investigation
The following day, relatives were able to track Howard’s cell phone to an area near Jefferson Avenue in downtown Memphis. Despite the phone’s location, Howard could not be found.
Then the mystery deepened.
On July 25, 2017, a property owner discovered Howard’s white Honda Odyssey burned in a field off McCraw Loop near the Fayette County and Shelby County line. The location was more than 60 miles from where he was last known to be.
The vehicle had been destroyed by fire.
No trace of Howard was found inside the van. No human remains were recovered, and any potential evidence may have been lost in the blaze.
Despite the suspicious circumstances, investigators stated there was no definitive evidence of foul play.
For Howard’s family, however, the questions have never disappeared.
How did a father vanish after dropping off food for his daughters? Why was his vehicle found burned in a remote field far from his intended destination? And where has Howard Barnett been since July 2017?
At the time of his disappearance, Howard was 38 years old. He stood between 5’8″ and 5’10” tall and weighed approximately 170 to 200 pounds. He had black hair, brown eyes, and wore a beard and goatee.
He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, gray gym shorts, and Nike flip-flops.
Years have passed, but those who love Howard continue to search for answers. His disappearance remains unsolved, and his family continues to hope that someone with information will come forward.
Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Howard “Nookie” Barnett is urged to contact the Memphis Police Department at (901) 636-4479.
© The Vivid Faces of the Vanished