East Point man disappears after leaving Target
East Point family fears missing man may be dead
A family in East Point is pleading for answers after a 20-year-old man disappeared nearly two weeks ago.
EAST POINT, Ga. - An East Point family is pleading for help to find a 20-year-old man who vanished nearly two weeks ago while shopping with friends.
What we know:
Derek Samuel was last seen April 29 at the Target in Camp Creek Marketplace. His family said he was at the store with two friends when he suddenly disappeared, and no one has had contact with him since that day.
Samuel is 5-feet-7-inches tall and weighs less than 130 pounds. He was last seen wearing gray-and-black basketball shorts and a black long-sleeve shirt. His grandmother, Cynthia Hall, said the family is devastated and desperate to bring him home.
Why you should care:
The family's concern grew after they saw "detailed" social media posts suggesting Samuel may have been harmed. Relatives said they saw posts reading "Long Live Reek" and heard rumors that someone shot him.
"It’s detailed information, but some of it may not be a lie," said Samuel's cousin, Tameeka Ford. His aunt, Trinity Hall-Baker, questioned where the people posting the information heard the rumors.
What they're saying:
Family members expressed frustration with the East Point Police Department, claiming they have not received many updates about the search. They are calling for more transparency as the investigation into the disappearance continues.
"He’s not trash, he is loved, and he’s a human being," said his aunt, Chee’tara Alexander. Relatives noted that Samuel has a twin sister he usually speaks to daily, making his silence even more alarming.
The other side:
Police told FOX 5 that they've been searching for Samuel, and even reached out to other law enforcement agencies, including the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office.
Detectives said they reviewed surveillance video from the Target and surrounding areas which shows Samuel walking away from the Target towards North Commerce Drive and Redwine Road. Samuel didn't appear distressed, according to officers. Investigators said it appears Samuel had a cellphone on him, but the device was powered off.
Anyone who sees him or has information about where he might be is urged to contact the East Point Police Department immediately.
What we don't know:
Investigators have not confirmed if the social media rumors regarding Samuel's safety are credible or identified any suspects in the disappearance.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from interviews with Derek Samuel’s family members, including his grandmother, aunts, and cousin, as well as details provided to FOX 5 regarding the missing person report.