This Teen Boy Is Missing From North Carolina, And His Family Hasn’t Seen Him In Years
It’s well-known that the first 48 hours of a missing person investigation are the most crucial. So, the North Carolina community is perplexed following the alleged disappearance of a boy named Blake Deven, who reportedly hasn’t been seen by his family in years.
Blake would now be 17-years-old, but according to a press release issued by the Fayetteville Police Department, it’s been years since his relatives last saw him.
“While conducting interviews in a separate police investigation, several members of Blake’s family reported they have not seen him in several years,” the press release reads.
“Due to the unusual circumstances of his reported disappearance, the Fayetteville Police Department’s Homicide Unit, which also investigates missing and endangered persons, is leading the investigation.”
Together, the Fayetteville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted searches at three different locations in Fayetteville on March 27. According to neighbors of Blake’s family, there was also a large police presence and forensic trucks outside their home.
“Just thinking about any of my kids going missing, I wonder if they feel the same emotions as me,” neighbor Alexandria Lopez told CBS17.
“Two years he’s probably gone, he’s probably been gone for a long time, and they say the first 48 hours are crucial.”
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Blake has been missing since August 2022. However, authorities have not publicly disclosed how long they believe he’s been missing.
Photos of Blake have also been released, but the most recent picture of him was taken in 2012 – when he was in elementary school. So, investigators shared an age-progressed photo of what they believe Blake may look like today at 17.
skiserge1 – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
This case has prompted countless questions from community members – mainly how and why Blake’s disappearance was not reported earlier. These will remain unanswered as the investigation continues until more details are released.
Blake has blonde hair and blue eyes. His height is listed as five foot three; meanwhile, his weight is listed as 120 pounds.
However, it remains unclear whether these metrics are estimates or his last known height and weight prior to his disappearance.
Investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating Blake. So, if you have any information regarding Blake’s case or whereabouts, you are urged to contact the Fayetteville Police Department tip line at (910) 578-2697.
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