In a social media account, Andy Tench readily identifies as an openly gay man. A native of Gaston County, he has called Belmont – a prominent Charlotte suburb – home base for most of his life. In recent years he made a move to Colorado, where he lived and worked in Denver and, as is listed on his Facebook page, also resided in Golden, Colorado.
He left Colorado in July of 2023 and returned to North Carolina. In the past year, Tench readapted to life in Belmont and Charlotte and reportedly made substantial positive progress in what had been a sometimes challenging life.
All of that seemingly came to a screeching halt on the late evening of March 24, or perhaps the early morning of March 25.
According to comments from his sister Natasha Newhouse, Tench left the home he shared with his mother and sister on the evening of March 24 to go out and celebrate his birthday, have a few drinks and shoot a few rounds of pool.
His destination turned out to be a Charlotte gay club known as The Bar at 316, which is located in Charlotte’s Dilworth/Southend area.
Later that evening, or early in the next morning, his car was found unoccupied, first at one intersection headed east in Monroe and then two hours later at another intersection headed west back towards Charlotte.
Newhouse spoke with Qnotes through social media messenger.
“We initially thought he was going to the Woodshed but turns out he went to another bar. We are not sure what happened after the bar closed or if he even stayed until closing. We are certain phone records and financial records have been obtained and they are working on leads. We don’t believe he drove to Monroe where his car was located and towed.”
When questioned further, Newhouse said that she wasn’t sure if she should divulge the name of the bar at that time because she was concerned it might jeopardize investigation efforts by local police.
She punctuated that with the following statement: “They aren’t wanting to tell us much.”
Less than 24 hours later Newhouse and Tench’s mother Tracii Blanton went public on a recently created Facebook page called “Find Andy Tench.”
“Answers are not coming fast enough for us! We do know he was spotted at Bar 316 in [Dilworth]/South End Charlotte. We plan to get as many people as we can to meet in the area and walk and see if we can find any signs of Andy or his belongings.”
That was scheduled for April 6, but for unknown reasons, did not happen as planned.
Said Blanton on Facebook, “It was at Bar at 316, but got way off track. I’m planning another search for maybe this weekend if Andy isn’t home by then. Will post as I get it organized. Hope you can join us.”
Research through public set social media posts make it clear: Tench faced difficult challenges in his personal life, as indicated in this Facebook comment, dated June 24, 2022.
“Since I lost my partner six months ago, I haven’t met another person because it’s too hard to move on. I am six months sober from meth and alcohol, and I’m proud of myself but now I’m in a very tough situation … I just started my new job after being laid off and after paying for this room they want to reimburse me the difference. I will be homeless on July 1 and my car has two flat tires. I know that I should be making it on my own and I’m trying my hardest and I know I will make it … I never saw this coming…”
On October 14, he posted another sad and disconcerting comment:
“Seeking help after a suicide attempt at the beginning of this year has just caused me to get disqualified for a job.”
It also appears he and his family had a history of difficulties.
From a post on Facebook dated December 21, 2018: “Attention family! Let me speak my mind for a second, and I don’t care if you agree, I don’t expect you to. Family comes first, no matter what. At the end of the day we are all we have. Yes, sometimes certain individuals may step heavily out of line. But how dare you end someone’s life over such a minor problem. So what? You were hurt? Cool, be a grown up and move on. I’m ashamed on both sides to call some of you my family. It’s f*cking Christmas. If you all can’t straighten your sh*t up, I will not be visiting for a very long time.”
And Tench was never anything less than upfront about his life and political viewpoints. Throughout posts on social media he is known to have confirmed his sexual orientation as early as 2015. He showed his support for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia and his opposition to harassment of Black males by police forces; and his support for trans individuals who have suffered the ignorance of fanatical right wingers across the country on multiple occasions.
Despite the challenges he faced in his own life and with his family, it appears amends were made and bonds were reconstructed. He is seen on social media posing with them at family Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations just this past year.
In one instance he posted: “Had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the fam. First one I’ve been a part of since 2016. Love you all so much!”
And then a month later:
“It’s easy to smile when you’re surrounded by the most beautiful holiday moments with the absolute best family! Been missing this for a very long time.”
In one of his last written posts before his disappearance, Tench indicated he was seemingly finding a place of happiness and self-worth.
“It’s easy,” he wrote, “to be happy when you are surrounded by people who see the best in you, rather than the problems in you.”
At press time, there was no new information regarding Tench’s whereabouts.