Alyea was last seen leaving his home in the vicinity of 103rd Street and Hillcrest Road in Kansas City, Missouri at 8:30 a.m. on January 30, 1992. He carried a large amount of cash with him at the time. He told a neighbor that he was going to Lamar, Missouri to meet someone at about 1:30 p.m., but would be back home by 6:30 p.m. Alyea did not return home and has never been heard from again. His green 1990 Honda Accord LX was found abandoned in a motel parking lot in Fayetteville, Arkansas on November 1, 1992, ten months after his disappearance. Authorities said it had been there at least a month. There was no sign of Alyea near the vehicle.

Foul play is suspected in Alyea's disappearance. He left all his medication and personal property behind at his home. He is described as having been close to his family. He stayed in regular contact with them, but they have not heard from him since January 1992. Alyea's case remains unsolved.