BEDFORD COUNTY (WSLS 10) - Investigators believe they are closer to finding out what happened to a Bedford County man 15-years-ago.
James Walker was reported missing in April, 2000. Fast-forward to July, 2015 when local law enforcement started digging on Taylor's Mountain, close to where Walker lived before he disappeared.
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At the time, deputies weren't saying if the dig was related to Walker's case, but the silence was a tactic used by investigators to preserve the investigation.
Town of Bedford Police Chief Todd Foreman said his team is investigating the disappearance as if it just happened. A six-inch binder is filled with details, dating back to the start of the investigation.
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Officers are re-interviewing people, following up on leads and taking another look at the timeline. Foreman said investigators also have fresh eyes on the case, with a new investigator, state police and the sheriff's office.
Chief Foreman explained, "I believe working as a team, and the cooperation between the sheriff and I working together ourselves, and our manpower and we believe we can get more accomplished and closer to solving the crime."
Chief Foreman also said a WSLS 10 story about the cold case, which aired in April, generated some needed attention. Foreman said, at this point, what investigators really need is for people to start talking so Walker's family can get some closure.