The Untold Truth Of Adam Emery's Mysterious Disappearance

On the evening of August 1, 1990, Adam Emery, his wife, Elena, his sister-in-law Maria, and her husband, Ronnie, were sitting in Emery's 1985 black Thunderbird in a parking lot outside a restaurant in Rocky Point, Rhode Island, having just finished dinner. As reported by Independent, another vehicle, which was leaving the parking lot, struck the rear left side of Emery's Thunderbird, causing damage to the tail light, and immediately fled from the scene. However, another vehicle left the parking lot at the same time, and it was unclear which car hit the Thunderbird.

Elena's sister, Maria, said she was certain it was a dark red Ford LTD that struck Emery's car. Emery proceeded to follow the Ford, which was being driven by Jason (Jay) Bass, to confront him about hitting his vehicle and leaving the scene.

Emery followed the Ford for nearly two miles before he intercepted the car and forced the driver to stop. Independent reports Emery admitted grabbing a knife as he left the vehicle to confront the other driver. He said he then approached the other car and said, "I just want to talk, you hit my car." However, Joshua Post, who was a passenger in Bass's car, said Emery shouted, "I'm going to kill you."

As authorities later proved, Bass never hit Emery's car, and was therefore frightened and confused as to why he was being accused. In an attempt to escape the situation, he put the car in reverse and tried to back away.

When Jay Bass put his car into reverse, Adam Emery lunged through the driver's side window and attempted to grab the keys from the ignition. As reported by Independent, Emery was unsuccessful and the car continued rolling backward. Emery later admitted he told Bass to stop the car and told him he had a knife. However, when Bass refused to comply, Emery said he "had to do something" because the diver "didn't heed [his] warning." Independent reports Emery proceeded to stab Bass in the hand and chest.

Bass's car eventually came to rest against a boulder near the driveway of a local prison guard named Bruce Bishop. When Bishop approached the car, Emery dropped the knife and admitted he stabbed Bass. Although Bass was not immediately killed in the attack, he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Rhode Island Hospital. As reported by Unsolved Mysteries, Emery was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

Prior to his trial, Emery was held on $270,000 bond. Although he spent eight months in custody, Independent reports his family eventually posted bond and he remained free for nearly two years until his trial began. By all accounts, the accused killer remained employed and did not get into any trouble. He also appeared for trial as scheduled. However, he maintained that he killed Bass in self-defense. Emery was ultimately found guilty of second-degree murder on November 10, 1993.

Unsolved Mysteries reports the judge agreed to let Emery remain free until the date of his sentencing, which was scheduled for the following month. However, the convicted killer seemingly vanished and has not been seen again.

According to witness reports, Emery left the courthouse with his wife at approximately 3 p.m. on November 10, 1993. At approximately 3:30 p.m., the couple went to a sporting goods store, where they purchased athletic socks, sweat suits, and 80 pounds of wearable exercise weights. As reported by Unsolved Mysteries, the salesperson remembered the couple, and said Elena "was talkative" and smiling. However, he did notice Adam seemed to be surprised about how much the items they purchased cost. Other witnesses reported seeing Adam and Elena eating at a fast food restaurant, and described their demeanor as calm and did not notice any unusual behavior.

At approximately 4:45 that same evening, Adam and Elena parked their vehicle on the Newport Bridge and were seen walking along the bridge's walkway. Unsolved Mysteries reports they were later seen driving away from the bridge. However, their unoccupied car was found back on the Newport Bridge at approximately 7 p.m. The couple had seemingly vanished into thin air.

Months later a local fisherman found two human leg bones, which DNA later confirmed belonged to Elena. Within a few weeks, Elena's skull was recovered from a nearby harbor. However, no trace of Adam Emery has been found.

Based on the supplies they purchased at the sporting goods store, and the presence of their vehicle on the Newport Bridge, it is believed that Adam and Elena Emery died by suicide. However, there were no witnesses, and no evidence has been found suggesting Adam ever entered the water. The FBI confirmed their investigation into Adam's disappearance is ongoing.

Although Adam was declared dead in 2004, he is still considered a fugitive by the FBI. In an August 2020 interview with 10 WJAR, Kristen M. Setera, a spokeswoman for the FBI Boston Division, said, "No matter how long it takes, the FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners in following every lead until we can locate fugitive Adam Emery, or his remains, and provide his victim's family with some much-needed closure."

A video which was recorded in the courtroom on the day Adam was convicted captured him and his wife having a whispered exchange. Although their conversation was inaudible, Newport Now reports a lip reader later confirmed Elena told Adam, "We will do what we originally said. You promised me. We should have done this before." However, it was unclear what she was referring to.

Setera said the FBI continues to receive and follow up on leads about Adam's whereabouts, and she hopes newly available technology will assist in their quest to figure out what happened to the convicted killer, and whether he is dead or alive.