The disappearance of 35-year-old Kentucky mother of three, Kayla Decker, continues to raise troubling questions nearly three years after she was last seen. With health concerns, a history of domestic violence, and delayed reporting, her case has become one that many believe deserves far more attention.
What Happened
Kayla Decker was initially believed to have last been seen on December 16, 2022, at a little league basketball game in Bowling Green, KY. Later information revealed she was spotted again on December 18, 2022, at a church in Bee Spring, KY. That same day, her last known phone activity occurred at the home she shared with her husband, Dearl Dwight Decker, at 710 Old Bee Springs Road.
Despite these sightings, Kayla was not officially reported missing until June 14, 2023—six months later—when a social worker contacted the Kentucky State Police. By then, evidence was already slipping away, making the investigation significantly harder.
Who Was Kayla Decker
Kayla was a 35-year-old mother of three, described as kind and resilient despite her health struggles with Lupus. Loved ones say she wanted nothing more than stability for her children and a chance to live free from the cycle of violence she had endured. At the time of her disappearance, her children were in foster care due to her husband’s history of violence.
Troubling Details and Background
Kayla’s case has been marked by unsettling details. Neighbors reported often seeing her walking outside in tears after disputes with her husband. When she suddenly disappeared, Dearl claimed she had gone to Texas. But that story faltered when Kayla’s car was found abandoned at a Dollar General and impounded, and when she left behind her medications, cane, and other personal belongings.
Further suspicion arose when neighbors discovered Kayla’s jeans near their pond. When the pond was drained, searchers uncovered a shirt, her purse, and a book—items Dearl admitted to throwing into the water after she allegedly left.
Despite claims that she left voluntarily, Kayla has had no contact with family, friends, or authorities since December 2022.
Community Response
Kayla’s friends have worked tirelessly to keep her story alive. They’ve held interviews, consulted psychics, and spread her story online, hoping to draw attention to her disappearance. Many believe her case highlights the dangers of domestic violence and the devastating consequences of delayed missing-person reports.
Official Investigation and What Happens Next
The Kentucky State Police have conducted searches, but the six-month delay in reporting severely complicated efforts to track evidence. Kayla remains missing, and investigators continue to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Kayla Decker would now be 38 years old. She is described as 5’6”, 130–150 lbs, with blonde hair and hazel eyes. She has a tattoo on her lower stomach, a loop nose ring, a stud in her left nostril, and a stud in her lower lip. She was also known to use the name Berlin Decker.
If you have any information about her case, please contact the Kentucky State Police Post 3 at 270-782-2010.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
