In August 2004, an unconscious man was discovered behind a Burger King in Georgia. Early reports depicted him as naked and bloodied. Upon regaining consciousness, he claimed to have no memory of his identity. Now, two filmmakers aim to uncover the story behind his decades-long disappearance.
On May 25, Investigation Discovery (ID) will debut “The Many Lives of Benjaman Kyle.” This four-part docuseries follows Eric and Shannon Evangelista as they attempt to help the man, known as Benjaman Kyle, who claims to suffer from a rare form of amnesia, reconstruct his past. However, in 2015, he was identified as William Burgess Powell, and the investigation took an unexpected turn.
It remains uncertain if Powell, who appears in the docuseries, disputes the conclusions drawn by the filmmakers. After vanishing from Indiana in 1976, Powell reappeared nearly 30 years later in Georgia, declaring amnesia. Known as Benjaman Kyle, he was diagnosed with retrograde amnesia, a condition causing memory loss prior to events like trauma or illness.
The filmmakers, the Evangelistas, are puzzled by Kyle’s form of amnesia. Eric Evangelista, with a background in broadcast news and journalism, and Shannon, a former criminal defense attorney and prosecutor, bring considerable investigative expertise. They aim to reconnect him with his family and document his journey. However, as they dig deeper, more questions arise about who he really is.
“He would start to say impromptu things that were scary,” said Shannon. “I was like, ‘We need more help.'”
During their investigation, they turn to Ken Maxwell, a retired FBI special agent, for guidance. Maxwell’s research uncovers a missing person report from 1976, suggesting Powell fled Indiana under mysterious conditions. The report states his vehicle was abandoned north of Lafayette, with removed license plates, raising suspicion.
Powell’s medical records from the time of his discovery at Burger King further complicate the narrative, contradicting his story of being beaten and left there. Maxwell notes no physical injuries matched Powell’s account, aside from ant bites and sunburn.
The docuseries also explores potential ties to organized crime. While some speculated Powell may have connections to crimes, no evidence has linked him to any criminal activity.
Despite years of investigation, Powell’s whereabouts remain uncertain. The filmmakers last saw him in December 2016. He seems to have vanished without a trace, leaving no recent address or contact information.
Maxwell suggests that Powell’s knowledge as a computer expert might aid in concealing his identity. Although no evidence links him to violent crime, questions about his past persist. As the search continues, every new theory raises more inquiries for the Evangelistas.