Caden Speight [Dunnellon, Florida] [Tragic Abduction and Shooting] – Heartbreaking Final Text Revealed: 17-Year-Old Caden Speight Abducted After Sending Chilling Message About Being Shot and Surrounded by Suspects in a White Van

Dunnellon, FL – On Thursday, September 25, 2025, 17-year-old Caden Speight vanished after sending his mother, Annie Speight, a chilling final text: “Mom, I need help. Four Hispanics in a white van — one driver. I’m shot.” Moments later, his phone was found broken in half. Authorities have confirmed this is an active abduction and not a runaway case, launching a massive multi-agency search effort across Marion and Citrus Counties. Investigators are urgently combing wooded areas, waterways, and highways, with aviation and K-9 units deployed in hopes of bringing Caden home safely.

The Chilling Final Words of a Son

Caden’s last text to his mother has shaken the community to its core: a desperate cry for help that no parent should ever have to receive. Annie Speight’s world shattered as she read her son’s final words, a haunting message of fear, pain, and urgency. Soon after, Caden’s broken phone was recovered near the 12800 block of SW Highway 484, where investigators believe the abduction took place.

For the family, these last words are both a devastating reminder of his suffering and a driving force to fight for his safe return. They cling to hope as authorities work tirelessly, refusing to let Caden’s voice go unheard.

An Urgent, Ongoing Search Across Counties

Law enforcement has launched one of the largest search efforts the area has seen, covering a 30-mile radius in Dunnellon and surrounding communities. Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, alongside neighboring Citrus County, are using aviation units, including a Bell 206A Jet Ranger helicopter, to conduct grid-style sweeps from the air. On the ground, K-9 search teams comb wooded trails, rivers, and ditches, leaving no possibility unchecked.

Authorities have confirmed that four unidentified Hispanic males in a light-colored van are the prime suspects. The urgency of this investigation grows with every passing hour, as law enforcement agencies stress that time is critical in bringing Caden home.

A Community United in Hope and Prayer

The disappearance of Caden Speight has brought the community together in both grief and determination. Candlelight vigils, prayer circles, and volunteer efforts have already begun, as neighbors, classmates, and strangers rally behind Annie and her family. Every shared post, every set of eyes on the roads, and every whispered prayer is a testament to how deeply this young man is loved.

Though fear looms heavy, so does the hope that Caden will be found alive. The community’s strength and unity send a clear message: Caden is not forgotten, and the fight to bring him home will not stop.