Yiear West Disappeared After Leaving Work in Wilkes-Barres Township Pennsylvania

On the evening of December 9, 2016, 28‑year‑old grill cook Yiear James Samuel West vanished without a trace after finishing his shift at the Outback Steakhouse in Wilkes‑Barre Township, Pennsylvania. In the years since, his sudden disappearance has baffled law enforcement, devastated his family, and haunted the tight‑knit community where he lived and worked. Despite surveillance videos that captured his final known movements, and a flurry of tips submitted to investigators, there remains no definitive explanation for what happened to West or where he might be today.

Personal Background

Yiear West was born in 1988 and spent his adult life in northeastern Pennsylvania, where he built a reputation as a dedicated cook and a loving father. At the time he disappeared, West had two young children whom he adored and supported single‑handedly. Friends describe him as hardworking, dependable, and fiercely protective of his family. In addition to his job at Outback Steakhouse, he had worked shifts at Smokey Bones and other local restaurants, earning a reputation among coworkers for his skill on the grill and easygoing manner in the kitchen.

The Day of Disappearance

December 9 began like any other workday for West. He clocked in for his scheduled afternoon shift at the Outback Steakhouse in downtown Wilkes‑Barre Township, located just outside the city’s main business district. After completing his duties—preparing steaks, monitoring grill temperatures, and cleaning equipment—West punched out at approximately 4:30 PM. There was nothing remarkable about his mood or behavior that day; he said goodnight to his manager, collected his belongings, and headed out on foot toward home.

Timeline of Events

• 4:30 PM – West clocks out at Outback Steakhouse. He declines an offered ride from a coworker, choosing instead to walk the roughly two‑mile route he took every day.
• Approx. 5:00 PM – Video surveillance shows West entering a nearby Wegmans supermarket. He purchases a few items—reportedly a snack and a bottled drink—but this stop was unremarkable, akin to his routine shopping habits.
• 6:00–6:10 PM – After leaving Wegmans, West continues on foot along Route 309, passing residential neighborhoods and small businesses en route to downtown.
• 6:40 PM – The Corner News convenience store on Coal Street captures West on camera at its ATM, withdrawing $200 in cash. He appears calm, unhurried, and alone. This is the last confirmed sighting of him.
• After 6:40 PM – West never arrives home. His mother, Lisa Patterson, expects him by 7 PM to pick up his children for a scheduled visitation. When he fails to show, she calls his phone—unanswered—and reports him missing later that night.

Description and Physical Features

At the time of his disappearance, West was described as a Black male standing approximately 6′1″ tall and weighing about 220 lbs. He wore black pinstriped chef pants, black Crocs with thick socks, a blue crewneck sweatshirt, and a black skullcap. His most distinguishing features included shoulder‑length dreadlocks, a neatly trimmed goatee, a noticeable scar beneath his right eye, and evident burn marks on his forearms—reminders of years spent tending hot grills. Investigators emphasize these details in public appeals, hoping someone will recognize him if seen.

Family’s Pleas and Theories

From the outset, West’s family has maintained that he would never vanish voluntarily. “He’s a family man—he’d never leave his children without a word,” insists his mother, Lisa Patterson. She believes foul play was involved almost immediately, stating bluntly, “He got murdered. He’s murdered. My son is gone. I just want closure.” West’s grandmother, Bobbi Patterson, echoes her daughter’s conviction but rejects the notion that he accidentally drowned in the nearby Susquehanna River. “He wasn’t going that far. If something happened, they dumped him where no one would find him—maybe in one of those old mine shafts,” she speculates.

Investigation Efforts

The Wilkes‑Barre City Police Department took over the investigation after initial missing‑person reports. Detectives canvassed the area, obtained surveillance footage from multiple businesses, and interviewed dozens of witnesses—coworkers, neighbors, and passersby. They reviewed West’s cell‑phone records and bank transactions, concluding that the $200 withdrawal was his final financial activity. Despite periodic “tip nights” when detectives publicly review incoming leads, the case remains open and unsolved. The department urges anyone with information—no matter how minor—to call their tip line at (570) 208‑4231.

Theories and Speculation

Several theories have circulated in the absence of hard evidence:

• Opportunistic Crime: Some believe West’s visible cash withdrawal made him an easy target for robbery. However, no suspects or witnesses have come forward to describe a confrontation.
• Ex‑Partner Involvement: Friends say West had recently changed phones to avoid harassment from a former partner. While some suspect she or an acquaintance may have followed him that night, no proof has linked any individual to his disappearance.
• Voluntary Disappearance: A minority of commentators online suggest West could have started a new life elsewhere. His family rejects this outright, noting that he would never abandon his children or forego his paycheck.
• Accidental Death and Concealment: The theory that West suffered a mishap—falling, hitting his head, or collapsing—and was then hidden or moved remains in investigators’ minds but has no supporting physical evidence.

Community Response and Search Efforts

Local volunteers organized search parties in the days after West went missing, combing riverbanks, wooded areas, and abandoned structures. Churches in Wilkes‑Barre hosted prayer vigils, and social‑media campaigns urged residents to share West’s story. Fundraisers helped offset the cost of printed flyers, billboards, and online ads appealing for information. Despite these mobilizations, no credible lead has surfaced since the first few weeks of the investigation.

Impact on Family and Community

The uncertainty surrounding West’s fate has taken a heavy toll on those closest to him. His two children have grown up without a father’s presence or closure. Family gatherings often include moments of remembrance tinged with hope and despair. Community members recall West’s friendly smile and willingness to help; his disappearance remains a cautionary tale about everyday vulnerability. Restaurants where he worked occasionally commemorate the anniversary of his vanishing, reminding patrons to stay vigilant.

Current Status and How to Help

As of today, almost a decade has passed without resolution. The Wilkes‑Barre City Police Department case file remains active. Detectives continue to follow new leads and revisit old evidence with emerging forensic techniques. Anyone with information—whether a fleeting memory of seeing a man fitting West’s description or knowledge of unfamiliar activity that night—is encouraged to contact investigators. Calls can be made confidentially to (570) 208‑4231 or to the Pennsylvania Missing Persons Hotline.

Conclusion

The disappearance of Yiear James Samuel West stands as a stark reminder that ordinary routines can end in profound mystery. A devoted father, skilled cook, and beloved son, West walked away from his shift one winter evening, only to vanish into the unknown. His family’s plea for answers endures: they seek not only to learn what befell him on that cold December night but also to find the peace that only the truth can bring. Until then, the case of Yiear West remains open, waiting for the one piece of information that can finally illuminate his fate.