Jeff Anderson, in a video released by the FBI’s media affairs. (Screenshot: FBI video)ITAWAMBA COUNTY — A heavier law enforcement presence than usual was in Itawamba County on Monday, and it was proof that just because Lesley, Rachel, Cameron and Kyle Anderson have been out of sight for quite some time, they’re never out of mind.
More than 26 years after the family disappeared, investigators are renewing their appeal for information as the sheriff’s office continues what it describes as an active investigation.
The FBI has released a video featuring Anderson’s former husband, Jeff Anderson, and Itawamba County Sheriff Mitch Nabors discussing the family’s disappearance and the ongoing investigation.
READ THE MISSING IN MISSISSIPPI SERIES FEATURE ON THE ANDERSONS
Sheriff Mitch Nabors, in a video released by the FBI’s media affairs. (Screenshot: FBI video)The Anderson family — Lesley Anderson, 45, and her children Rachel, 13, Cameron, 12, and Kyle, 9 — disappeared in April 2000. At the time, Lesley and the children were living with a family friend in Fulton.
In the FBI video, Jeff Anderson recalls receiving an unexpected phone call from his son Cameron on a Wednesday shortly before the family disappeared.
“I always called on a Saturday,” Jeff Anderson said in the video. “The kids never called me except that one day.”
Anderson said he spoke with Cameron for several minutes before telling him he would call him again Saturday, as he normally did.
“When I called that Saturday they were gone,” Anderson said.
He said he has continued to wonder why Cameron called him that Wednesday.
“I was always wondering in the back of my mind why did Cameron call that Wednesday?” Anderson said. “So it kind of haunted me for a long time. What could happen in three days?”
According to information previously reported by Darkhorse Press, Lesley and the children’s father separated in 1997. The children subsequently lived with Lesley in Fulton and maintained regular contact with their father.
Jeff Anderson became concerned when those calls became less frequent. He later was told by Lesley’s roommate that she had left with a truck driver and taken the three younger children.
The roommate reportedly said they left during the night in a brown station wagon. According to the previous report, that vehicle was later found on property where the family had been living.
School records obtained by Jeff Anderson showed that Rachel was last seen at school April 5, 2000. Kyle’s last day at school was April 7, and Cameron did not return to school after April 10, according to the previous report.
In the newly released video, Nabors said investigators have no indication that Lesley and the children ever left Fulton.
“Their families have not heard from them in 26 years and we have no indication that Leslie and the kids ever left Fulton,” Nabors said.
Nabors said information provided by members of the community is helping investigators pursue new leads.
“The community is providing valuable information that is assisting law enforcement and we are following up on those leads,” Nabors said.
He asked anyone who may have information, including people who have since moved away from the area, to contact investigators.
“We will continue to follow every lead until we receive, leaving no stone undetermined,” Nabors said.
Anyone with information about Lesley, Rachel, Cameron or Kyle Anderson is asked to contact the Itawamba County Sheriff’s Office at 800-225-5324.
