Authorities are currently investigating a possible connection between a disappeared individual and a fugitive who escaped from a prison in Tennessee. The case is being pursued by investigators in Greenville, South Carolina.
Victor Birchfield has been missing for almost two weeks in Tennessee. While his car and valuables have been sighted in South Carolina, his family’s sole desire is to locate him.
Tiffany Cole, the daughter of Birchfield, expressed her desire to bring her father back home.
“Please help me find my father,” pleads Cole with desperation in her voice.
Cole described Birchfield as “sharp as a tack” with gray hair and hazel eyes. At 61 years old, he stands at 5’6” and weighs 170 pounds.
According to Cole, the airport surveillance camera captured a video of his departure at 6:53 a.m. on Thursday, the 20th.
According to Cole, her father resigned from his position at the Elizabethton Airport and was spotted getting into his vehicle by himself.
Her father was last seen wearing a gray basketball shorts and an orange or red shirt.
She panicked on Friday morning when she didn’t hear from him.
According to Cole, the location of the car was traced by the sheriff’s department on Friday night, revealing that it had been pinged in both Boone, North Carolina and Clemson.
Over the weekend, Cole shared that her father’s card had been charged twice, with one transaction made in Asheville and another at the Tiger Mart in Clemson. The bank had confirmed these charges to Cole.
At the time, Cole wasn’t aware of the escaped inmate, Billy Fletcher, from their area.
In her belief, Fletcher is in possession of her father’s belongings.
According to Cole, her family has no connection to Fletcher whatsoever. It was confirmed that Fletcher had escaped from the Carter County Detention Center on June 20th, which is the same day Cole’s father went missing.
Cole expressed his disgust and anger towards the situation, stating that Billy Fletcher, who had a history of violent offenses such as kidnapping, burglary, armed burglary, and assault should not have been allowed to participate in a work detail. Cole emphasized that Fletcher had no right to be outside, and the entire situation was sickening.
When the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division released information about Billy Fletcher being spotted at a Hot Spot in Greenville wearing items that belonged to her father, Cole’s reaction was one of shock.
Cole admitted that he had a gut feeling about it all along, but he didn’t want to accept it until he watched the video at the gas station. He saw that the shoulder strap was broken and tied together, and his dad’s sunglasses were on the perpetrator’s face.
Cole holds on to hope that she will see her dad again with each passing day.
Cole expressed his desire for his father to continue living a life full of adventures such as skydiving and riding four-wheelers, and to be able to spend more time with his grandchildren as a loving grandfather. He hopes that the tragic event did not take away his father from them forever.
Cole is reaching out to the community and seeking their assistance. In case you noticed anything suspicious, she urges you to contact your local law enforcement agency.
As of now, Birchfield and Fletcher remain unaccounted for. Authorities are advising the public not to approach Fletcher in case of a sighting.
SLED reported that Fletcher was last spotted in the White Horse Road vicinity of Greenville County.
According to the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, they have located the vehicle owned by Birchfield in South Carolina, which he was driving before his disappearance.
