Introduction: A Quiet Life Interrupted

James Norman Batten, affectionately known as "Mose," was a man of routine and solitude. Residing in Selma, North Carolina, he led a simple life, characterized by his independence and reserved nature. At 84 years old, Batten had no wife or children, and his interactions were limited, making his sudden disappearance in December 2021 all the more perplexing. 

The Last Known Days

Batten was last seen alive on December 15, 2021. He was known to keep to himself, so it wasn't unusual for him to go weeks without contacting his family, who did not live in the immediate area. On March 6, 2022, relatives could not reach Mr. Batten, so they called police to conduct a welfare check at his home. Police found his Madison Street home "neatly kept," and there were no signs of a struggle or anything being out of place. The front door was unlocked, and his cell phone was inside. ...Read More