Kayla Decker Missing: Community Joins Search Efforts as Family Pleads for Information
The disappearance of Kayla Decker, a Kentucky mother of three, remains one of the most troubling unsolved missing persons cases in the state. More than three years after she was last seen, family members, friends, and community supporters continue to search for answers while urging anyone with information to come forward.
Kayla Decker, who was 35 years old at the time of her disappearance, was known to many as a devoted mother battling significant health challenges. She suffered from Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that often required medication and affected her daily mobility. Friends say that despite her health struggles, she remained committed to her children and maintained close relationships with those who cared about her.
Investigators believe Kayla was last seen in December 2022. Initial reports suggested her final confirmed sighting occurred at a youth basketball game in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on December 16, 2022. However, information gathered later indicated that she was seen again on December 18, 2022, at a church in Bee Spring, Kentucky. Authorities have also stated that the last known activity from her phone occurred on that same day near the residence where she lived with her husband, Dearl Dwight Decker, on Old Bee Springs Road.
The circumstances surrounding Kayla’s disappearance have raised numerous questions. According to neighbors, they frequently witnessed Kayla walking near the roadway and drainage ditches after arguments with Dearl. Several neighbors later recalled seeing her visibly upset and crying during these incidents. At the time, however, few suspected that she might be in danger.
When neighbors stopped seeing Kayla altogether, they were reportedly told that she had left Kentucky and moved to Texas. Dearl allegedly provided the same explanation to law enforcement. However, concerns grew when investigators and family members discovered that Kayla had left behind critical personal belongings, including medication she relied upon and a cane she used for mobility.
Further questions emerged regarding her vehicle. Rather than being used for a trip to Texas, the vehicle had reportedly been abandoned at a Dollar General store and eventually impounded before many people even realized Kayla was missing.
The investigation took another troubling turn when neighbors discovered a pair of blue jeans believed to belong to Kayla while working near a pond on adjacent property. The discovery prompted authorities to examine the area more closely. After the pond was drained, additional items were recovered, including a shirt, a purse, and a book connected to Kayla. According to reports, Dearl later stated that he had discarded the belongings after Kayla allegedly left.
A social worker officially reported Kayla missing to the Kentucky State Police on June 14, 2023, nearly six months after she was last known to have been seen. Investigators have acknowledged that the delayed reporting complicated search efforts and reduced opportunities to gather fresh evidence.
Since then, friends and supporters have worked tirelessly to keep Kayla’s story in the public eye. Community members have organized awareness campaigns, participated in interviews, distributed missing person flyers, and used social media to encourage tips. Despite multiple searches conducted by law enforcement, Kayla has not been located.
Today, Kayla would be 38 years old. She is described as approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing between 130 and 150 pounds, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She has a large tattoo on her lower stomach and distinctive facial piercings, including a loop nose ring, a stud in her left nostril, and a stud in her lower lip. She was also known as Berlin Decker.
The mystery surrounding Kayla Decker’s disappearance remains unsolved. Her family, friends, and supporters continue to hope that someone knows what happened and will come forward with information that could finally bring answers.
Anyone with information regarding Kayla Decker’s whereabouts or disappearance is urged to contact Kentucky State Police Post 3 at 270-782-2010.