Missing Lee County man identified as remains recovered in Valley
A Beulah man missing since summer of 2023 has been identified as the remains recovered in Valley in fall of 2024.
36-year-old Donald Wayne Estes was reported missing on July 8, 2023, by his family and was last seen on June 9, 2023, in the Riverview area of Valley. As the investigation continued, Lee County investigators reached out to Valley investigators for assistance in this case.
Valley investigators followed up on several leads over the next year, culminating with the discovery of the skeletal remains in October 2024.
“The Medical Examiner’s Office contacted Valley Police Investigators on February 2nd, 2025, and reported that the DNA analysis of the remains recovered in Riverview on October 16th, 2024, were those of Donald Wayne Estes, 36 years old of Beulah,” police said. “As of this time a cause of death has not be determined.”
This case remains active. If anyone has any information concerning this case, please call Sgt. Michael Meacham at 334-756-5218, or the Greater Valley Area Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP/1-833-AL1-STOP, or online at http://www.215stop.com.
Related stories
SafetyHunter rescued from tree after tree stand malfunction in Tuskegee National Forest
Crime & SafetyMISSING: Columbus police searching for missing 42-year-old woman last seen in September
Crime & SafetyMISSING: Columbus police search for missing 21-year-old woman last seen on Torch Hill Road
Crime & SafetyMISSING: Columbus police seeking help locating 15-year-old last seen in Opelika
SafetyOpelika Fire Department equips all 90 firefighters with new communication-enhanced masks





