Whispers of Fear: The Vanishing of Brookelyn Farthing

Brookelyn “Brooke” Shae Farthing was an 18-year-old whose infectious laughter and boundless love for her family and friends illuminated Berea, Kentucky. Born on August 26, 1994, Brooke was a recent high school graduate with dreams of attending cosmetology school and a heart brimming with kindness. Her disappearance on June 22, 2013, after sending a chilling text—“I’m scared”—left her family and community grappling with grief and unanswered questions. This blog post honors Brooke’s vibrant spirit, her deep bonds with her loved ones, and the Farthing family’s tireless search for truth in a case marked by a suspicious house fire and whispers of fear.

Brooke: A Spunky Soul with a Love for Life

Brooke Farthing was a social butterfly, described by her family as “spunky,” “tell-it-like-it-is,” and “loveable.” Raised in Berea with her mother, Shelby Walker; stepfather, Randall Walker; and sisters, Tasha Thomas and Paige Farthing, Brooke cherished her family. She loved late-night baking sessions, making brownies with her mother, and shared playful moments with her sisters, like teasing Paige for failing her driving test the day before her disappearance—a joyful memory from June 21, 2013, when Brooke passed her own test.

A graduate of Madison Southern High School, Brooke was at a crossroads, considering college or cosmetology school, reflecting her passion for hair and makeup. As a dedicated Girl Scout, she created care kits for Hurricane Katrina victims and visited the elderly, showcasing her compassionate nature. Brooke adored animals and the outdoors, often fishing or riding four-wheelers, embodying an adventurous yet grounded spirit. Her close bond with her grandfather, celebrated at his 70th birthday party on June 21, 2013, became a cherished memory after his passing soon after her disappearance.

The Night of Whispers: June 22, 2013

On June 21, 2013, Brooke attended a house party on Red Lick Road in Berea with her sister Paige, a cousin, and friends. She brought an overnight bag, planning to stay at a friend’s house, but those plans unraveled when her friend left after an argument, possibly over a boy. Stranded, Brooke arranged for an intoxicated friend to get home safely, accepting a ride from Joshua Hensley, a man connected to her ex-fiancé, Jared. Witnesses saw Brooke leave the party with Hensley and another man, who was dropped off, leaving Brooke and Hensley to head to his foreclosed home on Dillon Court, a property without electricity or running water.

Around 4:00 a.m. on June 22, Brooke called Paige, asking if their cousin could pick her up, but the cousin had been drinking and couldn’t drive. Not wanting to disturb her mother, Brooke texted Jared, who agreed to pick her up after his night shift ended around 7:00 a.m. At 4:26 a.m., she sent Jared a series of distressing texts, including, “Please hurry, I’m scared.” At 5:30 a.m., a final text from her phone read, “Never mind, I’m okay. I am going to a party in Rockcastle County.” Her family and investigators believe this message, sent at an odd hour for a 25-minute drive to another party, was not from Brooke.

Hensley claimed he left Brooke on his couch smoking a cigarette around 4:00 a.m. to tend to horses at a nearby farm. When he returned at 7:00 a.m., he said the couch was engulfed in flames, and Brooke was gone. Her cowboy boots, purse, and clothing from her overnight bag were left on the front porch, but her cell phone was missing. The fire, which destroyed the couch and damaged the floor, was deemed suspicious by investigators, who found no clear cause in a home without electricity. Brooke’s phone pinged for the last time on June 25 at a tower in Blue Lick, Kentucky, and she has not been seen or heard from since.

The Investigation: A Trail of Suspicion

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) launched an immediate investigation into Brookelyn Farthing’s disappearance, treating it as suspicious with suspected criminal involvement. The Dillon Court fire raised immediate concerns, as did the presence of Brooke’s belongings—items her family insists she would not have left behind voluntarily. Cadaver dogs, divers, and extensive searches of nearby woods and waterways found no trace of Brooke. Her cell phone, untraceable after the Blue Lick ping, deepened the mystery.

Joshua Hensley, the last person to see Brooke, became a focal point. His story of leaving her alone and returning to a fire was questioned, particularly given the “I’m scared” text and the improbable Rockcastle County message. In August 2020, Hensley was arrested on unrelated charges of possessing child sexual abuse material, prompting renewed scrutiny from Brooke’s mother, Shelby, though no direct link to Brooke’s case was established. Public speculation, including a 2014 online rumor alleging Hensley “chopped her up” and “scattered” her remains, has fueled theories, but no suspects or persons of interest have been officially named, and the case remains open.

Theories include the possibility that Brooke’s body was disposed of in a flooded mine shaft near Red Lick, though no such sites have been searched with advanced technology like underwater drones. The suspicious fire, likely set to destroy evidence, and the missing phone strongly suggest foul play, but without a body or physical evidence, the investigation has stalled. The KSP continues to pursue leads, with Trooper Robert Purdy stating in 2019 that the case is “not cold” and is actively worked on weekly.

The Farthing Family’s Heartache and Resilience

The disappearance of Brookelyn Farthing has left her family in a state of unrelenting grief. Shelby Walker, Brooke’s mother, shared with Dateline, “She’d bake brownies and we’d sit and talk on my bed. Those were the good days that I’m missing so much.” Shelby clings to hope for a “best-case scenario” but also seeks closure, saying, “If she has died, I want her body back home where I can give her a nice family burial.” Paige, who spoke to Brooke hours before she vanished, carries the weight of their last conversation, while Tasha has been a vocal advocate, posting updates on the Find Brookelyn Farthing Facebook page.

The family’s pain was deepened by the loss of Brooke’s grandfather, who passed away without knowing her fate, and the slow progress of the investigation. They’ve raised a $14,000 reward for information leading to Brooke’s return or the conviction of those responsible, and they maintain FindBrookeFarthing.com to keep her case visible. Annual vigils, like the one marking the 10th anniversary in 2023, unite the Berea community to honor Brooke, with Shelby and her family pleading for “that one call” to unlock the case.

The Farthings have endured small-town gossip and online speculation, urging the public to share factual tips with the KSP. Their resilience shines through their advocacy, ensuring Brooke’s story remains in the spotlight through media like Investigation Discovery’s Still a Mystery, Disappeared, and podcasts such as The Vanished, True Crimecast, and Dark Dialogue.

Brooke’s Legacy: A Call for Answers

Brookelyn Farthing was a vibrant young woman whose love for animals, family, and life’s simple joys defined her. Her disappearance, marked by a suspicious fire and haunting final texts, remains a chilling Kentucky true crime case, explored in depth by various media outlets. The Farthing family’s strength—through Shelby’s hope, Paige’s memories, and Tasha’s advocacy—keeps Brooke’s spirit alive.

To honor Brooke:

1. Listen to Brooke’s story, covered on Dark Dialogue. It can be listed to everyplace you get podcasts, or on the player below.
2. Watch and Listen to Her Story:
   • View Still a Mystery: The Dangerous Houses (2019) on Investigation Discovery, available on Max or Hulu with a subscription.
   • Stream Disappeared: Vanishing in the Night (Season 9, Episode 1, 2018) on Discovery+ or Amazon Prime Video.
   • Listen to Dark Dialogue for a compelling exploration of Brooke’s case, alongside other podcasts such as:
     • The Vanished Podcast
     • True Crimecast

3. Support the Search: Contact the Kentucky State Police at (859) 623-2404 or (800) 222-5555 with any information, or visit FindBrookeFarthing.com to learn about the $14,000 reward.
4. Spread Kindness: Reflect Brooke’s compassion by supporting local animal shelters or community initiatives in her memory.
5. Stay Informed: Follow updates on true crime on this website. We will post updates as they become available.
6. Raise Awareness: Share Brooke’s story to keep pressure on authorities for answers in this unresolved Fremont County murder.
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In the whispers of fear surrounding Brookelyn Farthing’s vanishing, her family’s love and determination shine brightly. May their efforts bring answers and may Brooke’s memory inspire justice and compassion in Berea and beyond.