SHARPSBURG, Ky. — More than 27 years after he vanished under mysterious circumstances, Kentucky State Police continue to list Paul Ward Shrout as a missing person.
Shrout, a widower and retired mechanic, disappeared on January 4, 1999, from his home in rural Sharpsburg in neighboring Bath County.
According to information released by investigators, Shrout was living with his son in the 60 block of Forest Avenue at the time of his disappearance. He was reportedly last seen lying in bed around 2 p.m. on January 4 while his son left the residence to run errands.
Just over an hour later, at approximately 3:41 p.m., a neighbor noticed the home was on fire and contacted emergency responders. Firefighters battled the blaze for an estimated 17 hours before it was fully extinguished. The house was nearly completely destroyed.
Investigators were unable to determine the cause of the fire, and one of the most puzzling aspects of the case remains the fact that no trace of Shrout was found in the burned remains of the home.
Authorities conducted an extensive search of the rubble but found no evidence indicating what happened to him. Investigators have said it is possible, though considered unlikely, that the fire completely consumed his remains. Because no definitive evidence has ever been located, Shrout remains classified as a missing person.
At the time of his disappearance, Shrout was described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He wore eyeglasses and reportedly suffered from health issues that limited his mobility. Investigators noted he did not drive, and no witnesses reported seeing him leave the residence before the fire.
Despite the passage of time, the case remains open.
Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Paul Ward Shrout is encouraged to contact the Kentucky State Police at 606-784-4127.
The Morehead Minute will occasionally highlight long-term missing persons cases from Kentucky and the surrounding region in hopes that renewed attention may generate new leads for investigators and families seeking answers.