Jessica Paige Kemp missing: solo Arkansas camping trip ends in mystery

The disappearance of 32-year-old Jessica Paige Kemp during a solo camping trip in Arkansas has left her family and the community searching for answers.

Kemp, a resident of Paragould, Arkansas, was last seen on May 5, 2025, at a primitive campsite near Lake Ashbaugh in the Dave Donaldson Wildlife Management Area. Her vehicle, cell phone, and personal belongings were recovered at the campsite, but Kemp was nowhere to be found.

“There are still many unanswered questions”

Kemp’s decision to embark on a solo camping trip was met with concern from her family, given the potential risks. When she failed to return or make contact, her family reported her missing. The Greene County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) initiated a search, and a reward was offered for information leading to her whereabouts.

Throughout the ordeal, Kemp’s family, who’ve launched a GoFundMe to raise funds, has remained hopeful and actively sought assistance from the public and authorities. Her mother’s updates on social media kept the community informed and engaged in the search efforts.

“There are still many unanswered questions,” Kemp’s family wrote in part on the GoFundMe page. “We have exhausted most of our resources trying to find her. There have been aerial drone searches, boat searches, dog searches, and extensive foot and land searches.”

Kemp’s family added, “Outside assistance has been limited. We have talked to everyone in the area as well as people in the community.”

Viral theories: “Something weird is going on here”

The Kemp mystery has captured online attention, spawning unconfirmed conspiracy theories and reports. One unverified source posted, “Something happened on May 5th that caused Jessica to make a distress call to 911. An officer responded to the call. His body cam was not on. He sent for an EMT, but then cancelled it before the ambulance arrived.”

The post added, “The police report states he gave her 48 hours to vacate the premises because it is a primitive campsite. They went back two days later to ‘reevaluate’ the situation after leaving her there. That is when they discovered her car, belongings, and even her shoes were all still at the campsite.”

Another post from the same source continued, “According to her family, a sheriff’s deputy from the GCSO was the last person to have seen Paige before she went missing after she placed a distress call to 911. There is no body cam footage. Texas Equusearch and other organizations cannot help without clearance from the GSCO and they refuse to allow it. Something weird is going on here guys.”

Jessica’s case highlights the complexities and challenges involved in missing person investigations, especially when individuals venture into remote areas alone. Arkansas has seen numerous missing person cases over the years, with varying outcomes. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Greene County Sheriff’s Office at (870) 239-6343.