Family still searching for answers in Charlie Bell disappearance

Charlie Bell turned 38 years old Monday night. But for almost the last four years, his whereabouts have been a mystery.

On Monday night, the family of Bell released balloons in Columbia to celebrate his birthday and to bring the mystery back to the forefront in hopes it will be solved.

In August of last year, investigators ramped up the search for Bell and two people, Patrick Curl and Jennifer Freeman, were arrested after they reportedly told police they witnessed the murder of Charlie Bell in his own garage and helped clean up the blood.

Patrick Curl was sentenced to three years in prison last week for tampering with physical evidence. Police said Curl admitted to hiding the license plates from Bell’s motorcycle.

Jennifer Freeman’s jury trial is set to begin next month.

Back in August, deputies were seen searching a pond off Route EE for weeks for evidence related to Bell’s disappearance. But the pond has been refilled and the mystery of who is responsible for Bell’s disappearance remains.

“There’s somebody out there, there’s more than one person out there that knows where Charlie is and what happened,” said Charlie Bell Sr., Bell’s father.

Bell Sr. said he’s not giving up hope in the search for answers about what happened to his son.

“With the reward out there that we’ve still got posted, now it’s time to come forward with that information,” he said. “All the balloons have the reward cards with contact information on them.”

Bell’s mother has a similar message.

“We want people to know that there is a $50,000 reward still for bringing people to justice who have committed the crime against my son,” said Doris Boyce, Bell’s mother.

“We can’t have closure until he’s found and that’s all we’re asking for,” said Nikki Bell, Charlie Bell’s wife.

She said Monday was about celebrating Charlie’s birthday and letting the community know he has not been forgotten.

Anyone with information about the disappearance of Charlie Bell is asked to call the Boone County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers at 875-TIPS to remain anonymous.