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Missing Caldwell Student To Turn 20 Years Old Friday: ‘Light a Candle 4 Martin,’ Father Asks

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By Jesse Wood

James ‘Martin’ Roberts, a 19-year-old Caldwell Community College student who has been missing since April 21, will turn 20 years old this Friday, Aug. 19, and his father, John Roberts, is asking folks to “light a candle for Martin” in a couple days.

“… Then take a picture of your birthday candle for Martin and post it to the Help Find Martin Roberts Facebook Group page with #lightacandle4martin. Feel free post on your FB page and share in other groups as well! Please push to other social media you may use – Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Let’s rock the net this Friday for Martin’s birthday!” John Roberts wrote on the Help Find Martin Roberts Facebook page.

Roberts was last seen at the Appalachian State University’s Holmes Convocation Center on Thursday, April 21, at about noon. He hasn’t been seen since.

“One minute Martin is just another student at the AppalCART stop having a conversation about his plans for the fall semester at App, the next minute he is gone without a trace. Today is the first day of classes in Boone and Martin’s nowhere to be found. A sad milestone we had hoped we’d never reach,” Roberts wrote yesterday.

The Boone Police Department has worked diligently, following leads – to no avail. Local and regional law enforcement and search-and-rescue squads and community search parties have combed the area’s lakes and reservoirs and trails near the Blue Ridge Parkway and other outdoor hotspots where Roberts loved to hang out. Local police have asked property owners to search vacant buildings.

Boone Police Chief Dana Crawford penned an open letter asking for anyone with information to step forward, and High Country Crime Stoppers offered a $1,000 reward for the same thing. But still nothing.

If you have seen him or know his whereabouts, his family is desperately seeking information or sightings. Please call the Boone Police Department at 828-268-6900 and
High County Crime Stoppers at 828-268-6959.