Katie Ferguson: Family reveals red flags and 'disturbing' messages as Wyoming mother goes missing during cross-country trip

CODY, WYOMING: Katie Ferguson, 33, reportedly disappeared during a cross-country trip with her ex-boyfriend, Adam Shane Aviles Jr, and their two children, reported People.

Park County Sheriff’s Office told the publication that Adam was arrested on weapons-related charges and is being investigated in connection with the disappearance.

According to a criminal complaint filed on November 9, 2023, Adam was seen four times during the trip by officers and was accompanying Katie only on one occasion on October 5.

After that day, when officers encountered the vehicle on October 9, Katie was allegedly not present.

Katie's situation is being investigated as a missing persons case as of December 1 by both local and federal law enforcement.

Katie Ferguson's sister suspects something sinister

In an interview with Fox News, Katie's sister Nicole Ferguson said, "I think something happened, whether it was an argument or they didn't agree on something. I don't know if it had to do with the kids or whatever. In my heart, I know she's not alive anymore. I don't need any kind of proof from anybody."

"If she was here, she would have gotten a hold of one of us. There's just no way she wouldn't have. There's no way. That's not Katie, Katie doesn't hide out. She's not that type of person. …. And I'm hoping if that is the case, that she died instantly and didn't suffer," she continued.

Nicole revealed that Katie and Adam knew each other as teenagers, but their relationship turned ugly before Katie broke it off in May. The couple struggled with addiction but was making progress to be clean.

Katie Ferguson's disturbing messages to her stepmother

During a trip to Alabama in May, Katie texted her stepmother Angela Ferguson on Facebook, "I don't want to be stranded on the side of the road with two kids. I know you're probably thinking well you should have thought about it and planned about it, but Adam kept following us. I kept seeing him everywhere. I couldn't stay in Cody … I'm not asking for a lot. I just need help."

Angela reportedly sent Katie money and helped her get a hotel room, according to Fox News.

Katie was grateful for the help, as she reportedly texted, "Thank you very much … We didn't know what we're going to do, and we're almost out of gas. We are so exhausted. We just want to get as far away from him as we can because we're tired of looking over (our) shoulders constantly or scared to take the girls anywhere."

The outlet reported that Katie wanted to move back to Wyoming after a few months. She reportedly called Adam to get her and the children, which was surprising for the family.

Katie Ferguson disappeared on her way back to Wyoming

According to court documents, she was last seen on October 5 in Trmann, Arkansas. At the time there "was no projectile hole in the passenger side door" of the vehicle which she was in, along with Adam and the children.

When the car was pulled over by Texas State Patrol four days later, the "projectile hole" was discovered.

Adam and the children managed to return to Wyoming, without any sign of Katie. 

Mona Hartling, Katie's biological mother, told 'People' that Adam claimed Katie had left him and the children. 

Evidence collected from car

Upon conducting a search of the vehicle, federal investigators allegedly found dried blood, and three "fired projectiles" consistent with a .45-caliber round, one inside the passenger side and two stuck in a door.

The front seat was missing, and a "large portion" of the truck's trim was removed and stuffed in trash bags in the back seat, read the indictment.

Katie's family is still waiting to hear about the DNA report of the items that were discovered in the 1999 Dodge Durango.