Porchlight File 002 Vanished in Floyd County: The Disappearance of Mitchell Manns

Porchlight File 002 Vanished in Floyd County: The Disappearance of Mitchell Manns

Author: Jess November 28, 2025 Duration: 11:20

Porchlight Files 002: Vanished in Floyd County: The Disappearance of Mitchell Manns
Originally aired: 11/28/25

On March 16th, 1990, thirty-eight-year-old Mitchell Manns was last seen at the Triangle Market in Martin, Kentucky. He was reportedly heading toward McDowell ARH Hospital, nearly ten miles away — but he never arrived.
No sightings, no belongings, no answers.

In this episode, we revisit that March afternoon in Floyd County and look at the conflicting early reports, his last confirmed moments, and the coordinated search efforts described in the Floyd County Times. We also explore the landscape of eastern Kentucky — the hills, the hollers, and the roads that shaped the search for Mitchell.

More than thirty-four years later, Mitchell remains missing. This episode remembers who he was and honors the community that tried to bring him home.

If you have information:
Kentucky State Police — Post 9 (Pikeville)
Phone: 606-433-7711

Sources:

Floyd County Times, March 21, 1990

Floyd County Times, March 23, 1990

NamUs (MP4930)

Public missing-person databases

Local geographic references and historical context

Music by: Zack Messick
Podcast by: Jessica Thacker
Series: Porchlight Files, a companion to Blood in the Bluegrass


There's a particular gravity to the stories that come from the hills and hollows, the small towns and city streets of Kentucky. Blood in the Bluegrass, hosted by Jessica, delves into these difficult narratives with a focus that is both respectful and resolute. This true crime podcast is rooted in a specific place, examining the murder and missing person cases that have left lasting marks on communities across the state. Jessica guides each episode, piecing together timelines and details while never losing sight of the human lives at the center of every story. You’ll hear about investigations that gripped the region, unsolved mysteries that linger in local memory, and the complex quest for justice that defines so many of these tragedies. The podcast offers a careful, dedicated look at the darker chapters written into Kentucky's history, emphasizing the voices often overshadowed by the headlines. It’s a journey into the heart of these cases, where the landscape itself often becomes a character in the unfolding drama. For those drawn to true crime that feels intimately connected to its setting, this series provides a thoughtful and compelling exploration.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 3

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