Hi my name is Tammy and I am Joe’s sister. He was last seen at his house in Tyro North Carolina Via his video surveillance system in his home. He was shown on camera to be having a very heated discussion around 5:30 PM July 12Th. The neighbors send the cops over to his house for a welfare check at 8:30 PM and he was not there. At 2:45 AM Saturday, July 13 police (fearing he might be suicidal) pinged his phone in Montgomery County. Around the same time cops were able to get Joe on the phone and he said he was OK and that his car was having some trouble and that he was waiting for friend to take him home. At some point on that Saturday, He stopped responding to any text messages from his friends. Early Sunday morning July 14 at around 4:18 am Cops found his car off the road between the airport and that 24 hour store. Where he went off the road was very steep. Someone had seen him go off the road and called the cops and they were there in less than 15 minutes. There was marks in the ground where it shows where he backed up multiple times but he was apparently stuck in the mud. Inside the car he left his wallet which contained all his credit cards and drivers license, his cell phone, $453 in cash, and the car keys were still in the ignition. His gun which was missing from the holster at his house was nowhere to be found in the house or the car. Police were able to tell by the GPS that Joe went into Spencer Virginia and went west and it appeared like he was driving aimlessly turning down roads just to turn around again and so forth and then eventually he started going east for some reason. They have surveillance video of him in Virginia but the cops are not disclosing as to where it was. Supposedly there is also a Purchase at McDonald’s for a fountain pop which is something he would do. There is also a little black box type a thing in the newer cars that tells you your speed, the position of your steering wheel, whether you have a passenger, etc. according to that box, Joe was heading east on the highway just under the speed limit and he gradually started going slower and basically veered off the road. The steering wheel never even turned. All the symptoms of someone falling asleep at the wheel. This is all a big mystery to us. We know he was upset on Friday. We are talking to his entire friends circle that we know of and I don’t know who he would’ve contacted to get out of that area. Police have been searching the woods but it’s very thick and very rural. That 24 hour store does have cameras but they did not see him or his vehicle drive-by. He is not the outdoorsy type so I can’t imagine him trucking it through the woods. If he wanted to harm himself I would think it would’ve been not too far from where his car was found. Our family is praying every day that we find him safe.
@tammy3127, I am so sorry for your family. I do know they searched the woods extensively.
I have a few questions, if you could help out.
When you say his phone pinged in Montgomery County, was that Virginia? I'm trying to figure the route he may have traveled to the Spencer area. There are many routes to access this area. 220 from Greensboro, back roads from Mount Airy, or 58 from 77 (this would be the route, if he came thru Montgomery County, VA).
Knowing the route, we can figure out the video sighting.
Spencer is not really a town, it has a small PO and that's it.
Does he know anyone in this area?
Are the VA State Police involved in the search?
As, I stated its radio silence in the community.
Have you reached out to anyone at The Martinsville Bulletin, the local newspaper? When the article appeared many had questions, like you just answered but no response from LE. It sparked interest because of no details. Also, WSLS and WDBJ are TV stations in Roanoke, VA, covering the Martinsville area, maybe they could help generate interest.
Martinsville has a little local TV station (also FB page) they may be most interested and are always looking for a story and have a huge following. STAR NEWS.
The Henry County Sheriff Office has a FB page, the article generated many comments, with no response from Sheriff office. There have been a couple of shooting at the Old County Store, all on video. Really surprised it didn't show his vehicle.
Just FYI, the sheriffs elections are coming and a good time to bring to the attention of community. Just my opinion, the Sheriff tends to promote what benefit himself. My opinion that's why he didn't release information. He's pulled a few stunts that the local media and community had issue with. Check out the local paper.
If I can help in anyway, please just let me know. I can help with names, phone numbers, etc, if you choose to pursue the media.
Thank you for coming to WS and sharing your story.
I hope, what I have shared does not violate TOS. This is the first time a case is in an area I am very familiar with. I so, hope we at WS can help.
