Nearly three months after Huntsville realtor Ronald “Ronnie” Dumas Jr. disappeared, his family continues to seek answers and express frustration over the lack of information and support from local authorities. In their latest effort, family members attended a recent Huntsville Police Citizen’s Advisory Council meeting, hoping to gain insight into the ongoing investigation. However, they left without the clarity they desperately sought.
Dumas was last seen on December 15, 2024, with surveillance footage capturing him at a liquor store on University Drive in Huntsville, accompanied by two women. The following day, his vehicle was discovered abandoned on Interstate 40 near Camden, Tennessee. Despite these developments, the investigation has yielded few leads, leaving the family in a state of anguish.
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WAFF 48 shared that at the meeting, a spokesperson emphasized the family’s frustration and explained that they had not received satisfactory responses from the Huntsville Police Department (HPD) and hoped the city council could address their concerns. The chairman of the advisory council, however, clarified that, as a liaison between the community and the police department, the council does not have the authority to discuss specific cases. He advised the family to direct their inquiries to the HPD.
The family has also voiced concerns about the initial handling of the case. Shakeria Samples, the mother of Dumas’ 12-year-old son, has questioned the promptness and seriousness of the investigation, suggesting that earlier actions, such as reviewing bank records and obtaining surveillance footage, could have been more timely.
The emotional toll on the family has been profound. Talia Berryhill, mother of Dumas’ two young daughters, said that their children continually ask about their father’s whereabouts, with one daughter keeping his picture by her bedside. Berryhill emphasized the difficulty in consoling their children without concrete answers.
The HPD has stated that it is actively investigating the case and has been collaborating with agencies in Tennessee.
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
