Byron Speller

Case Information:

Byron Speller was 24 years old when he disappeared from Augusta, Georgia, on June 29, 2018. That afternoon, he had accidentally locked his keys inside his mother’s burgundy Chevrolet Tahoe.

He was parked at a former Kroger parking lot on Wrightsboro Road in Augusta when he called his brother for assistance. A locksmith arrived and successfully unlocked the vehicle, marking the final confirmed sighting of Byron.

Case Details:

The investigation took a suspicious turn the following morning when Byron failed to pick up his mother for work. This uncharacteristic behavior immediately signaled to his family that something was wrong.

Deputies later located the burgundy Tahoe abandoned at a gas station. The SUV was unlocked, and although Byron’s keys and wallet were missing, there were no signs of a struggle.

Timeline of Events:

On June 29, 2018, Byron was seen at the Wrightsboro Road shopping center during the locksmith service. By the next day, the vehicle was discovered nearly 20 minutes away from that initial location.

Investigators were able to trace a final Wi-Fi ping from Byron’s cellular phone to the 6th Avenue corridor. Since that digital signature was recorded, no further electronic activity or confirmed sightings have occurred.

Investigation:

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office remains the lead agency in the search for Byron. Detectives have canvassed the Lumpkin Road area extensively and interviewed several individuals regarding the abandoned SUV.

As of 2026, the case is handled by the Criminal Investigation Division. Authorities continue to seek surveillance footage or witness testimony from the gas station where the Tahoe was recovered.

Community Response:

The Augusta community has been vital in keeping Byron’s story in the local headlines for nearly eight years. Volunteers have organized multiple ground searches focusing on the wooded areas surrounding 6th Avenue.

Local advocacy groups and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) have shared his profile to reach a wider audience. The hashtag #FindByronSpeller is frequently used by residents to coordinate awareness walks and digital vigils.

Family Statements:

Byron’s family describes him as a “doting father” who was raising his two children alone after their mother’s death. They maintain that Byron would never have voluntarily left his children without notice or a plan for their care.

The years since 2018 have been a painful stretch of missed birthdays and holidays for his growing children. His mother continues to speak publicly, pleading for anyone with information about the gas station sighting to break their silence.

Physical Appearance:

At the time of his disappearance, Byron Elliot Speller was 24 years old and stood 5 feet 11 inches tall. He weighed approximately 165 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes.

As of 2026, Byron would be 32 years old; age-progression images have been utilized by NCMEC. His details remain active in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) to assist in his recovery.

Current Status:

As of April 2026, the disappearance of Byron Speller remains an active and open investigation. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has not officially ruled out foul play in the case.

No definitive evidence has emerged to explain how the vehicle traveled from Wrightsboro Road to Lumpkin Road. Justice for Byron and his two children remains the primary goal for law enforcement and the Augusta community.

Contact Information:

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Byron Speller, please contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or your local Crime Stoppers chapter.

---