According to Black and Missing but Not Forgotten (BAMBNF), on October 1, 2021, 36-year-old Wilfred Kinnerson III traveled from Louisiana to Dallas and then to Los Angeles. On October 4, 2021, at 11:45 pm, he texted his 16-year-old daughter, Kaliyah Kinnerson. Wilfred told his daughter that he was on his way home. That text was the last time anyone heard from Wilfred.
Wilfred usually picked Kaliyah up from school every day. For two days in a row, he failed to pick his daughter up from school.
“So, we knew from there something had to be wrong because he loves his daughter,” Wilfred’s sister told KLFY.
According to WBRZ, Wilfred's father said he last spoke to Wilfred on the day before the family reported him missing.
"When I opened up the phone, he was on Instagram in a white van with about 15 guys. I think they were down there for a bachelor party,” his father said, reports BAMBNF. Although his father does not know the people his son was with, he does not believe he was in imminent danger, reports WRBZ.
His family began searching for Wilfred. The Opelousas, Louisiana father passed through Bastrop, Louisiana on his way home, reports WRBZ. Four days later, his silver 2016 Cadillac CT6 was located. On October 8, 2021, his vehicle was found abandoned in the 600 block of North Market Street in Opelousas, Louisiana. The car was found down the street from a restaurant Wilfred's father owns.
“He’s a good father. He doesn’t do nothing to hurt anyone. Why would someone do this to him? We don’t know. We’re still asking questions and working very hard with Bastrop, Louisiana police,” Wilfred’s sister told KLFY.
Wilfred's family believes someone placed his vehicle in the location where it was discovered.
“Very much, foul play is suspected at this time,” his sister told KLFY. “I will not stop until my brother comes home, any means by necessary. We need answers, and we will get justice.”
His family is currently offering a $10,000 reward for any information about his disappearance.
Wilfred Kinnerson was 5'10" and weighed 170 pounds when he vanished.
If you have any information, please contact the Opelousas Police Department at 337-948-2500, crimetips@opelousaspd.com, or through Crime Stoppers (337-948-TIPS).