Kaplan man last seen in Abbeville

The Abbeville Police Department is currently investigating the case of a Kaplan man reported missing for more than a week.
According to Abbeville Police Lt. David Hardy, Eugene Williams’ girlfriend dropped him off somewhere on Maude Avenue in Abbeville early on Nov. 12. Williams has not been seen or heard from since that time.
“She dropped him off on the street,” Hardy said. “She said he wanted to go somewhere so she dropped him off on Maude. She said she doesn‘t know why he wanted to be dropped off or where he went after she dropped him off.
“She hasn’t seen or heard from him since.”
The woman, whose name was not released, went to the Abbeville Police Department last Thursday but did not file a report at the time. She officially filed a missing persons report on Friday in Kaplan. Both she and Williams currently reside in Kaplan.
“She made a report to the Kaplan police,” Hardy said. “They in turn notified us because he was last seen around here.”
Williams’ name has been placed in a national data base with the National Crime Information Center.
“If his name comes up anywhere,” Hardy said, “it will show that he is a missing person.”
The Abbeville Police are familiar with Williams, who was released from prison in October. Hardy said Williams served multiple years after involvement with narcotics.
“He has been arrested by us previously,” Hardy said of Williams. “We know the acquaintances and we know his friends. We have a history with him.
“His history really doesn’t come into play other than it gives us an idea of where to look.”
Hardy said the department has heard rumors regarding the case. He said he could not offer details on those rumors other than to say they are not true.
“We are not going to speculate,” Hardy said. “We are going to continue searching for him. You are going to hear all kinds of things. All we know is he was dropped off on Maude early in the morning.
“He has not had contact with his family and they are extremely concerned.”
Hardy said missing persons cases can vary.
“If it’s a kid you have a small window,” Hardy said. “He is an adult and it is a different situation. Some times people have been gone for days and then they just show up at home.”
Again, Hardy said the department is not operating on assumptions.
“This is a missing persons case and we are handling it as such,” Hardy said.
Anyone with information on the case can contact local law enforcement, including the Abbeville Police (893-2511), the Kaplan Police (643-8600) or the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office (898-4414).
“If anyone knows the whereabouts or has spoken to him (Williams),” Hardy said, “please contact us.”