Cold Case Files: Without a Trace - Hackett man vanished over five years ago from Sebastian County town

Clayton James Gurley

Clayton James Gurley stepped outside a friend's house here on the evening of April 25, 2021, to smoke a cigarette. The 29-year-old never came back inside. When his friend woke early the next morning, Gurley was gone. His mother's car, which he had driven to the residence, remained parked out front.

Five years later, no one in this small Sebastian County town has seen or heard from him.

Gurley stood about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighed around 155 pounds. He had sandy blond hair and brown eyes. On that night, he wore a gray and black striped button-down shirt over a T-shirt, black Levi's 501 jeans, and a baseball cap. He left behind few clues and no clear reason for his sudden absence.

Family members renewed their public search efforts this spring, putting up new missing-person signs around Hackett as they marked the fifth anniversary. Gurley, now 34, is remembered as a son and father whose absence continues to weigh on those closest to him.

His mother, Becky Dean, recalled their last conversation that night. "

The last thing he said was, I love you," she said. "And I said, be safe. He said, always. That was it."

The Sebastian County Sheriff's Office says the case remains open. Investigators urge anyone with information to contact them at 479-783-1051.iNVESTIGATORS noted there were no obvious signs of foul play at the time, though the circumstances are concerning.

The person last with Gurley is not considered a suspect.

According to the initial report, Gurley appeared intoxicated when he went outside around 9 p.m. His personal items, including his phone, were left behind. His aunt, Georgetta Ware, mentioned family tips over the years, including one report of someone seeing him walking toward the highway, but none have led anywhere.

Gurley worked and was described by those close to him as a dedicated father. His mother has spoken publicly about missing him terribly and continuing the search. In a region where adult disappearances can stem from various causes, including possible mental health issues, substance use or crimes against the person, his family and advocates with groups like the Morgan Nick Foundation emphasize that every missing adult deserves attention and support.

The disappearance stands out in a community where people often know one another's routines. Gurley did not show up for work the next day, prompting the initial report to authorities. Officials have described limited details available in the case. He is classified as an endangered missing person.

His entry in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons Systemlists him as last seen in Hackett on April 25, 2021. The profile notes the circumstances and his physical description, inviting tips from the public. Arkansas maintains a statewide database of missing persons through the Never Forgotten campaign.

In the years since Gurley vanished, his family has continued to seek answers through local media and community outreach. Reports from 2021 described the initial concern when he failed to return from that casual evening visit.

By 2026, the focus shifted to sustained visibility, with renewed calls for information as time passed without resolution.

Those who knew Gurley hope that renewed attention might bring forward a tip that breaks the silence.

For now, the night he stepped outside lingers unresolved in Hackett, a quiet question mark in a town that has not forgotten him.