Ricky Joe Brown's home was struck by lightning resulting in a fire the morning of his disappearance. He was with family and friends throughout the day. He was last seen at a friend's house around 7:00 pm, not making sense with what he was saying. When the friend went to check on him at his house at approximately 8:00 pm, he was not there. His cell phone was left on a chair on the front patio and his truck was left parked in front of his house. He also left his hat, glasses and medicines in the vehicle.

Family says Rick Joe was in the early stages of dementia and sometimes believes he still lived in St Louis, MO.