“He was last seen in Boone near Appalachian State University,” Le Beau said of the Caldwell Community College student who previously attended ASU. “We caught him on surveillance camera and were able to establish that it was him. That is the last known sighting that we had. It just seems like he disappeared off the face of the earth.”

University police and town police have conducted extensive searches in Boone.

“We’re contacting homeless shelters across the region,” Le Beau said. “We don’t have any reason to believe he’s in a homeless shelter, but we’re just taking every step that we can possibly think of to try to locate this young man.”

Roberts is from Kernersville, North Carolina.

“He has a large family that loves and supports him,” according to a written statement issued by the High Country Crime Stoppers. “They are awaiting his safe return.”

Roberts was last seen wearing a black short sleeve, Appalachian State windbreaker, khaki shorts, gray New Balance shoes and a white golf visor hat. He had no access to a vehicle or a bicycle.

There is a Facebook group called Help Find Martin Roberts which provides daily updates on the search.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Boone Police Department at 828-268-6900 or High Country Crime Stoppers at 828-268-6959 / 828-737-0125. Tips may also be submitted at www.highcountrycrimestoppers.com.

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