Oil Trough, Ark. — August 24, 2025
Seven years after Brooke Lairson Allensworth vanished from Independence County, her disappearance remains one of the region’s most perplexing mysteries. The 37-year-old licensed practical nurse and mother of three was last seen in July 2018, leaving behind a locked car, unanswered questions, and a community still searching for closure.
A Sudden Disappearance
Brooke Allensworth, also known by her married name Brooke Durham, was last seen between July 11 and 12, 2018, in the Newark–Oil Trough area. According to family and investigators, she had visited a salon in Newark to get her hair and nails done. She was reportedly driving her black 2007 Toyota Camry from Newport to her home in Searcy when she experienced a flat tire. A passerby attempted to assist using a can of “fix-a-flat,” but the temporary repair failed. Brooke then pulled her vehicle under a rural bridge near the White River Access on Highway 122 in Oil Trough, where it was discovered on July 27, 2018, after her father reported her missing to the Searcy Police Department.
The car was found locked, with Brooke’s cellphone and cigarettes inside, but her keys were missing. Investigators noted no signs of a struggle, and the vehicle appeared to have been deliberately parked. Sheriff Shawn Stephens of the Independence County Sheriff’s Office told NBC News in 2019, “It was like it was just parked there and walked away from.” Despite extensive searches of the surrounding area, including the White River, no trace of Brooke was found.
Brooke, described as a devoted mother to her three children, was a 2012 graduate of the University of Arkansas Community College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing. She worked at the Newark Medical Clinic and lived in an apartment on Roundabout Circle in Searcy. Family members, including her sister Kelly Avants, emphasized that her disappearance was out of character, stating, “I know in my heart she would not hurt herself. And she has never gone this long without having contact.”
Investigative Efforts and Challenges
The Independence County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Arkansas State Police, has led the investigation since 2018, cataloged under case #18-01015. Initial efforts included ground searches, aerial sweeps, and the use of cadaver dogs, but no significant evidence emerged. A search warrant was executed on Brooke’s vehicle to analyze its contents, yet it yielded no definitive clues. Sheriff Stephens noted in 2019 that interviews with individuals who had contact with Brooke in the days prior to her disappearance provided no clear leads.
The Arkansas State Police took over the case due to its complexity and multi-county scope, but as of August 2025, no suspects or persons of interest have been publicly named. A 2020 report from Today in Fort Smith mentioned that authorities questioned an individual named Quake Lewellyn in connection to Brooke’s case, but no charges or formal connections have been confirmed. The investigation remains active, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward, no matter how minor the detail.
National missing-persons databases, including the Charley Project and NamUs (#MP52572), continue to list Brooke as an endangered missing adult. The Charley Project’s last update in July 2019 detailed her physical description: a 5’8” Caucasian woman, weighing 170–185 pounds, with brown hair dyed blonde and blue eyes. She has a distinctive tattoo on her left abdomen of GPS coordinates (35°06’95.07”N, 89°97’67.37”W) referencing a location near Newport, Arkansas, and was last seen wearing dark blue denim shorts and, unusually, two left shoes—a flip-flop and a wedge sandal.
Community and Advocacy Efforts
The disappearance of Brooke Allensworth has galvanized her family and the broader community. A Facebook page, “Justice For Brooke Allensworth,” maintains awareness and shares updates, with family members expressing gratitude for ongoing support. “We would like to express our gratitude to all those who show concern, kneel in prayer, actively seek answers, and continue to love Brooke with such relentless kindness and compassion,” the family stated in a message shared via White River Now.
Volunteer groups, including Adventures with Purpose and Jo-Jo’s for Justice, have contributed to search efforts in recent years. These teams employed advanced sonar technology to explore the White River and surrounding areas, as well as conducted searches on rural properties, but no significant findings have been reported. Community-driven initiatives continue to distribute flyers and host discussions to keep Brooke’s case in the public eye, with local media outlets like FOX16 and KATV covering the story periodically.
A Case Without Closure
As the seventh anniversary of Brooke’s disappearance passes, her case remains a haunting reminder of the challenges in resolving missing-persons cases in rural areas. The Independence County Sheriff’s Office and Arkansas State Police have not announced any recent breakthroughs, and the lack of physical evidence or witnesses continues to hinder progress. Theories about Brooke’s fate—whether she was picked up by someone after parking her car or met with foul play—remain unconfirmed. A reported disagreement with her ex-husband, Brad Durham, around the time of her disappearance has been noted, but no evidence has linked it directly to her case.
For Brooke’s family, the absence of answers compounds their grief. Her children, now growing up without their mother, and her loved ones hold onto hope for resolution. “Brooke, we need you to come home,” her sister Kelly pleaded in a 2019 interview with KARK.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Independence County Sheriff’s Office at (870) 793-8838 or the Arkansas State Police at (870) 935-7302. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and even small details could prove critical in bringing closure to this enduring mystery.