Tankersley was last seen at 12:00 p.m. on December 5, 2002, in St. Francisville, Louisiana. He has never been heard from again. Authorities initially believed Tankersley became lost in the woods, but they have been unable to find him and now foul play is suspected.

The possibility has been raised that the so-called Baton Rouge Serial Killer, Derrick Todd Lee, was involved in Tankersley's case. A photograph of Lee is posted below this case summary. The two men knew each other and sometimes Lee would take Tankersley for rides in his car. However, Lee's suspected victims are all women; he has been charged with murder in the disappearance of Randi Mebruer and is a suspect in the disappearances of Mari Fowler, Melinda McGhee and Eleanor Parker. Tankersley, being male, does not fit the profile of Lee's victims. Lee has not been charged in connection with his disappearance, which remains unsolved.

Above: Derrick Todd Lee