WILKES COUNTY: NC WANTED is joining the manhunt for a mountain fugitive who may be eluding authorities by dressing as a woman.
Richard Lynn Bare (Alias: Lynn Bare), escaped a Wilkes County jail in 1985 and has been on the run ever since. Bare is one of the most wanted fugitives in North Carolina history.
On January 15, 1984, Sherry Lyall Hart disappeared from her home in West Jefferson in Ashe County. The next day, investigators found her 1977 red Ford Grenada in the parking lot of the Sky City discount store in West Jefferson.
On January 17, Sherry's family officially filed a missing persons report. About ten months later, an investigator from the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office discovered her body at the bottom of Jumping Off Place at the Ashe/Wilkes county line, while looking for a stolen safe. After hundreds of interviews, authorities believe Richard Lynn Bare and Jeff Burgess were responsible for Sherry Lyall's death. Both were arrested on March 29, 1985 and taken to the Ashe County Detention Center. Shortly after, authorities concluded the crime actually took place in Wilkes County.
The two were then transferred to the Wilkes County Detention Center. In July 1985, Richard Lynn Bare escaped from this facility and hasn’t been seen since.
If you have information on this case, call NC WANTED toll free at 1.866.43.WANTED or click on "Report a Tip" Your information will be kept confidential.
Wanted For:
Murder
Profile:
Sex: Male
Race: White
Age now: 43
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 145 lbs.
Hair: Brown/Blonde
Eyes: Green
Tattoos: Bare may have a Panther tattooed on his right forearm.
Traits/Habits: Richard Lynn Bare may dress as a woman.
Last Seen:
Bare was last seen in July 1985. He was awaiting trial for the murder of Sherry Lyall when he escaped from the Wilkes County Detention Center.
Possible Location:
Ashe County, Wilkes County
