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A much-loved member of the Clear Springs Community went missing on Jan. 28, 2023.
His residence had been set on fire and his belongings were still there, including his cellphone and wallet.
The community held a fundraiser on May 3 at the Clear Springs Community Building to employ a special detective to look into the case. A former fundraiser secured reward money of $7,500 for information leading to the arrest of any person involved in the disappearance. Although many leads came forward and thorough searches were performed by the Texas County Sheriff’s Department, J.P. seems to have vanished without a trace.
After two years, the community has not given up, and contacted Leslie Albrecht for help. Albrecht is a retired investigator with the Department of Health and Senior Services. She is locally famous for solving the case of Kelly Workman from Douglas County along with coinvestigator Chris Holland.
Albrecht and Holland spent two years working on a case that happened 36 years ago. A little over a year ago, in February 2024, their investigation led to the arrest of three men in connection with the 1989 crime, Bobby Lee Banks, Leonard Banks and Wiley Belt, who were charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and forcible rape. The records show that Kelle Ann Workman disappeared while mowing the grounds of a cemetery in Dogwood, Missouri, when she was 25 years old. The body was later found in Christian County. Searches done at the time revealed no clues.
Albrecht and Holland have been on the case of J.P. Dudding for three months, and early reports are that critical evidence is being uncovered. In the case of Kelle Workman, a witness came forward after 36 years, and prayers are that J.P.’s case will not take that long to solve, but the Clear Springs Community will never give up on the search for justice for their friend and neighbor.
If you would like to contribute to this community effort and bring justice to a man who was well loved by everyone he met, please consider making a donation to the Justice for JP fund at Southern Bank, any location. A donation in any amount is appreciated.
A non-law enforcement tip line can be reached at 619-992-8682.