William D. Dudley hasn’t been heard from since he went home after being at the center of two violent altercations on a Halloween night. That was in 1993, and Capt. John Heflin of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office said this week that police still are investigating the matter as a missing-person case.
Authorities said Dudley, 35 was intoxicated when he went to the Winchester home of Cindy Benner, the girlfriend with whom he had a daughter, at about 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 31, 1993.
Dudley became violent and broke Benner’s nose. The fight woke up their daughter and Benner’s grandmother, who also lived at the home.
One of Benner’s relatives and a friend heard the disturbance and went to the house.
The two men had been drinking with Dudley earlier in the day, authorities say, and fought with him outside Benner’s residence.
One of them hit Dudley with a baseball bat, and the two left the area.
Dudley reportedly apologized to Benner that night. He left, and was believed to be returning to his trailer, which was located on Benner’s property.
He has not been seen since then.
Heflin said investigators continue to look at what role the fights might have played in Dudley’s disappearance.
Dudley’s wallet and keys were found in his trailer.
He was reported missing by his mother on Dec. 5, 1993.
Dudley would now be 52 years old. At the time of his disappearance, he was described as a white man, 6 feet 2 inches tall and 215 pounds. He had dark blond hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office investigations unit at 540-667-0420. Tipsters can also call Crime Solvers at 540-665-TIPS (8477).
