On anniversary of Air Force vet’s disappearance, his family begs for help

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Jared Chavis was a 19-year-old Air Force veteran with a son on the way when he was last seen in someone else's car in a CVS pharmacy parking lot on Westheimer Road.

Police said there was an argument. Shots rang out.

Neither Chavis or the other man have been seen since Jan. 12, 2018, and Chavis’ family has searched fruitlessly for answers. At a prayer vigil in Houston Saturday, they begged again for help.

“Their grief has been intensified mainly because justice is lacking and because they don’t know what happened,” said Andy Kahan, director of victims’ services for Crime Stoppers of Houston. “It’s the not knowing that’s laying heavily on them.”

An increased reward of $10,000 is being offered for more information in the case.

Chavis had only been living in Houston for two months, and was working for a satellite dish installer and pursuing an information technologies degree online. The mother of his child, who is serving in the military in Washington D.C., was several months pregnant.

Chavis last spoke to his mother on Jan. 12. Later that night, police said he was was riding in the back seat of a black Ford Fusion driven by an acquaintance, apparently known as “Bolt Suave.”

There was a disagreement. Shots were fired. Chavis didn’t leave the car, witnesses later told police.

Then the car, and the men, disappeared.

Chavis’ own unlocked car was found at a nearby gated apartment complex with its seat covers removed.

Chavis’ parents have said police think that his car was involved in a robbery and that Chavis may be a suspect in that crime. As each day drags on without any word, they fear he may also have been a victim.

“They have zero clue as to what happened,” Kahan said. “There’s a lot of questions.”

Chavis’ father, Willie Smith, is raising his grandson in Lafayette, La., and has tried to keep attention on his son’s search through Facebook.

The family recently spent their first Christmas without Chavis as his 9-month-old son, Ameer, laughed and played with presents. Smith said he looked at his grandson and vowed: “We have to get answers for you.”

Anyone with more information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

lomi.kriel@chron.com

@lomikriel