Court grants 5 year Presumption of Death in Bell disappearance.

A Boone County father will now be able to execute his son’s estate, five years after he disappeared.

Charlie Bell went missing Sept. 15, 2011, and has not been seen or heard from since. The 5 Year Presumption of Death granted Monday by Boone County Judge Deborah Daniel will allow Bell’s father to execute the estate and care for Bell’s three daughters. Online court records indicate that the petition was granted because evidence was presented that Bell has been missing for just over 5 years, has engaged in no fiscal transactions, and has had no contact with family members or close friends.

Bell’s disappearance is being investigated as a homicide based on the testimony of two people who say Bell was shot to death in his garage. 44-year-old Patrick Curl is serving a three year sentence for taking the license plate from Bell’s motorcycle, and 35 -ear-old Jennifer Freeman admitted to concealing evidence by lying to investigators and is serving a six year sentence in prison.

At the time of his disappearance, Bell had approximately $1.2 million in both real and personal property.

A $50,000 reward is being offered for anyone with information about Bell’s disappearance and alleged murder.