In August 2004, an unconscious man was discovered behind a Burger King in Georgia. Initial reports revealed him as naked and bloodied. Upon waking, the man claimed to have no memory of his identity. Two filmmakers now aim to uncover the events of the decades he spent as a missing person.
On May 25, Investigation Discovery (ID) will launch “The Many Lives of Benjaman Kyle,” a four-part docuseries that follows Eric and Shannon Evangelista as they attempt to help this man, who claimed to have a rare form of amnesia, rediscover his identity. In 2015, he was identified as William Burgess Powell, which brought unexpected developments to the investigation.
Powell doesn’t face any criminal charges and has no apparent criminal record, according to People magazine. The docuseries notes that his current location remains unknown, and the filmmakers urge anyone with information to contact Hot Snakes Media.
“We’re still investigating,” Shannon said in an interview. “The key question is his whereabouts from 1983, when his Social Security earnings ceased, until 2004, when he was found at the restaurant. We hope the public can help answer this.”
Hospital staff called him “B.K. Doe” for “Burger King Doe,” and he adopted the name Benjaman Kyle. Diagnosed with retrograde amnesia, Shannon’s husband, Eric, questioned the diagnosis.
“His type of amnesia seemed like something from old movies,” Eric noted. “He resisted attempts to find out who he was, which raised doubts in my mind.”
The Evangelistas have experience with complex cases. Eric worked as a news producer and journalist for 14 years. Shannon, with a background in criminal defense and prosecution, is well-versed in investigative work. They were unrelenting in their pursuit to re-establish Powell with his family.
“Upon meeting Powell, peculiar aspects of his memory became evident,” Shannon remarked. “He recalled specific events and locations vividly, yet avoided areas where someone might recognize him.”
Powell gained national attention and appeared on the Dr. Phil show in 2008. He claimed to have memories dating back to the mid-’80s. During filming, while driven through Colorado, he made light-hearted yet morbid remarks, unsettling the crew.
“He would say unnerving things about burying bodies, prompting us to seek outside professional help,” Shannon explained.
Filmmakers sought assistance from Ken Maxwell, a retired FBI special agent, for insights.
Maxwell recounted a missing person report from 1976, detailing Powell’s abrupt escape from Indiana. His abandoned vehicle had no license plates, signaling a sudden flight.
“License plates removed from a car typically indicates a hasty departure,” Maxwell shared.
Maxwell’s examination of Powell’s medical records revealed inconsistencies in his narrative. “The story claimed he was beaten and left behind a Burger King,” Maxwell said. “Yet, other than ant bites and sunburn, he was uninjured.”
While memory disorders can be complex, suspicions arose about possible criminal ties. Rumors of links to organized crime prompted further investigation.
No evidence has connected Powell to any homicide. “In-depth verification is crucial,” Maxwell emphasized. “We heard allegations of past associations with questionable figures.”
Shannon and Eric last interacted with Powell in December 2016. His subsequent whereabouts became uncertain. “Rumors suggest he’s residing in Lafayette,” Shannon mentioned. “But they lack confirmation.”
Maxwell considers Lafayette as Powell’s likely location. “He likely lacks resources to relocate extensively,” he noted. Maxwell suggested Powell’s expertise with computers might aid in maintaining his low profile.
Despite numerous leads, the filmmakers’ search continues to foster more questions without concrete answers.
Powell has not been tied to violent crimes, yet the puzzle of his life remains unsolved.
Maxwell reflected, “To disappear intentionally for over two decades without a trace is remarkable.”
“I desire deeper truths about this individual,” Eric expressed. “Our quest is far from over.”
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