No Leads in Search for Missing Harlan Man

Police continue to investigate disappearance of James "Garfield" Grubbs after release from jail

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Kentucky State Police have reported little to no substantial leads in the missing person case of James "Garfield" Grubbs, a 70-year-old Harlan man who went missing on January 25th after being released from the Harlan County Detention Center. Grubbs' daughter, Lisa Grubbs, said her father had been a resident of a local care facility for the past 10 years but had been behaving erratically in recent weeks leading to his arrest. After being dropped off in the Bobs Creek area, Grubbs disappeared without a trace, leaving his family and authorities deeply concerned for his wellbeing, especially given the inclement winter weather at the time of his disappearance.

Why it matters

The lack of leads in Grubbs' disappearance highlights the challenges law enforcement can face in missing persons cases, particularly when the individual has a history of mental health issues or erratic behavior. This case also raises questions about the support systems in place for vulnerable individuals transitioning out of care facilities or the criminal justice system.

The details

According to authorities, Grubbs was last seen wearing a light jacket, jogging pants, and a t-shirt when he went missing. His daughter, Lisa, said he has an evident limp due to leg problems, and she is worried about his state of mind and ability to survive the harsh winter conditions. Police have followed up on a few tips, including a report of a hitchhiker matching Grubbs' description being dropped off near the Kentucky-Ohio border, but no substantial leads have materialized so far.

  • James "Garfield" Grubbs went missing on January 25, 2026 after being released from the Harlan County Detention Center.
  • The missing person alert for Grubbs was issued by Kentucky State Police last week.

The players

James "Garfield" Grubbs

A 70-year-old Harlan, Kentucky man who went missing on January 25th after being released from the Harlan County Detention Center. Grubbs had been a resident of a local care facility for the past 10 years but had been exhibiting erratic behavior in recent weeks.

Lisa Grubbs

The daughter of James "Garfield" Grubbs, who is deeply concerned for her father's wellbeing and safety following his disappearance.

Kentucky State Police (KSP)

The law enforcement agency investigating the disappearance of James "Garfield" Grubbs, with Public Affairs Officer Shane Jacobs providing updates on the case.

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What they’re saying

“Nothing. There's just nothing. The (Kentucky) State Police has kept me updated. They've been working on following through with some tips, but really there has been nothing serious to develop pertaining to his whereabouts.”

— Lisa Grubbs, Daughter of James "Garfield" Grubbs (Harlan Enterprise)

“While there hasn't been any serious leads in the Grubbs case, the investigating officer, Jake Spurlock, was following through with information that had been shared with him and that he was updating the family daily.”

— Shane Jacobs, KSP Public Affairs Officer (Harlan Enterprise)

What’s next

Police are currently attempting to obtain video camera surveillance that was taken at the place where the person fitting Grubbs' description was reportedly dropped off near the Kentucky/Ohio border.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement can face in missing persons cases, especially when the individual has a history of mental health issues or erratic behavior. It also raises questions about the support systems in place for vulnerable individuals transitioning out of care facilities or the criminal justice system.