In August 2004, an unconscious man was discovered behind a Georgia Burger King. Initial reports described him as naked and bloodied, and upon waking, he professed to have no memory of his identity. Two filmmakers are now delving into his mysterious past to piece together what happened during the decades he was missing.
On May 25, Investigation Discovery (ID) is set to premiere a four-part docuseries titled “The Many Lives of Benjaman Kyle.” The series follows Eric and Shannon Evangelista as they assist this man, who suffered from a rare form of amnesia, in recovering his lost identity. Identified in 2015 as William Burgess Powell, the investigation faced an unexpected turn. Powell, who features in the docuseries, might not agree with the conclusions drawn by the filmmakers.
Powell disappeared from Indiana in 1976 and resurfaced nearly 30 years later in Georgia, claiming amnesia. He adopted the name Benjaman Kyle. (Investigation Discovery) Throughout, Powell has neither been arrested nor charged with any crime, according to People magazine, and lacks a criminal record. The docuseries notes his current whereabouts remain unknown. Filmmakers encourage anyone with information to contact their Hot Snakes Media production company.
“We’ve never stopped, and we’re still investigating,” Shannon told Fox News Digital. “The big question is where he was from 1983, when his Social Security earnings ceased, until 2004 at the Burger King site. We hope the public will help us answer that.”
Hospital staff nicknamed Powell “B.K. Doe” for Burger King Doe. Diagnosed with retrograde amnesia, he lost memories before a traumatic event. However, Eric Evangelista questioned the diagnosis.
Eric expressed skepticism, noting Powell’s amnesia resembled portrayals only found in old movies and soap operas. Upon questioning, Powell resisted being found, casting doubt on his intent. Eric told Shannon, “This guy’s full of it, and we need to go further.”
The Evangelistas are experienced in complex investigations. Eric spent 14 years in news production and journalism, while Shannon was a federal criminal defense attorney specializing in organized crime, eventually transitioning into prosecution roles. Together, they aimed to reconnect Powell with his family, though their deeper investigation unearthed more questions about his identity.
Shannon described their journey. “I had this dream of reuniting him with his wife and children. Yet, as the investigation progressed, it became evident he recalled places but not people, avoiding recognition wherever possible.”
The Benjaman Kyle case garnered national attention, leading to a 2008 appearance on the Dr. Phil show. (Investigative Discovery) Powell, now 77, claimed memories from the mid-1980s. His statements sometimes bordered on unsettling humor, talking about concealing bodies in isolated locations. Producer Alexander Block noted these statements created discomfort among the crew. (Investigation Discovery)
Shannon recalled his impromptu remarks about graveyards and dumping sites. “We thought a profiler might aid us since this was beyond our expertise.” They consulted Ken Maxwell, a retired FBI assistant special agent.
Maxwell detailed their discoveries. “We uncovered a missing person report from August 1976 by the Indiana State Police.” The details mentioned Powell’s abrupt departure from Lafayette, Indiana, and the abandonment of a vehicle with removed plates, implying a deliberate escape.
Maxwell retrieved Powell’s medical records from the Burger King incident, challenging his initial story. “Despite claims of assault, medical assessments showed only infected ant bites, skin mites, and sunburn.” The original EMT response brought further scrutiny to Powell’s amnesia claim. Experts note memory disorders can be challenging to affirmatively diagnose or disprove.
Filmmakers investigated possible connections to organized crime, uncovering cold cases in Indiana. However, no public evidence tied Powell to these activities. Maxwell emphasized verification. “Searches revealed he associated with nefarious individuals, although no concrete evidence linked him to homicides or organized crime.”
Shannon shared their last interaction with Powell in December 2016. Attempts to locate him afterward proved futile, leading to speculation about his current situation. “Rumors suggest he resides in a boarding house, but nothing concrete.” Contacts reported no recent interactions with him.
Maxwell believes Powell remains in Lafayette due to limited financial means. Powell’s adeptness in remaining undetected is noted. The investigation unveiled Powell as a computer expert, possibly aiding his concealment.
Throughout filming, new theories emerged, but each lead introduced further uncertainty. Nevertheless, the search persists.
An overarching mystery remains surrounding Powell’s past. Maxwell noted the absence of a paper trail between 1983 and 2004. The query of his identity continues to fuel their investigation, leading to questions that seek resolution.