Katie Ferguson, a 33-year-old mother of two young girls, hasn’t been seen since at least October and was officially reported missing to police in Cody, Wyoming on November 2. Her family believes her ex-boyfriend, Adam Aviles Jr., is involved or knows what happened. Aviles Jr. is currently in jail on a federal charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition. His trial is set for January 24.
According to Katie’s sister, Nicole Ferguson, their relationship turned verbally abusive before Katie ended it in May. The family believes something happened during a cross-country trip with Aviles Jr., and they suspect foul play. Messages sent by Katie to her stepmom in May indicated that she felt unsafe and wanted to avoid Aviles Jr. She mentioned that he was following them and expressed fear of being stranded on the side of the road.
Katie’s family last heard from her on October 5 when she was in Trumann, Arkansas. Aviles Jr. was later pulled over by Texas State Patrol on October 9, and Katie was not in the car. Aviles Jr.’s 1999 Dodge Durango, which he drove during the trip, was found in the Oregon Basin area near Cody on November 4. During a search of the vehicle, investigators allegedly found dried blood and fired projectiles consistent with a .45-caliber round. The front seat was missing, and a large portion of the truck’s trim was found in trash bags in the back seat.
The family is anxiously waiting for updates from investigators regarding potential DNA evidence found in the truck. They remember Katie as a loving and goofy person, and they are concerned about the well-being of her children. The family has set up a memorial fund to support any future searches or memorials.
