Search ongoing for missing man
A four-day search for a missing man from Pontotoc County did not bear fruit, according to sheriff Kenny Dickerson.
Jose Ramon Nava, 21, went missing around 10:30 p.m. Sunday, February 28. His family reported him missing Monday, March 1, on Facebook, the sheriff said. He was apparently driving a white Jeep.
Wednesday, March 3, as a woman from Pontotoc was driving to Memphis, Tenn., along the interstate, she spotted the vehicle after having seen the posting by Nava’s family on social media. The driver contacted the family, who verified the Jeep headed westbound was Nava’s.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department got a call from Nava’s family at noon March 3 and said he was missing, Dickerson said. That was confirmed by Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Department.
In the investigation, Marshall County authorities learned Nava had apparently been seen Monday, March 1, around 7 a.m. In a neighborhood in the Mary Lane area just off I-22. It was reported to authorities that he was knocking on doors.
When seen March 1 in the Mary Lane area, Nava was reportedly wearing a grey Champion hoodie, black shorts and green camouflage Crocs, according to Jason Mills, investigator with the sheriff’s office.
Nava was not successful in getting help and was seen returning to the area of the Jeep on the interstate, Mills said.
Investigators said Nava’s Jeep may have broken down and he could have been seeking help at the mobile home visible from I-22. He also knocked on doors at other residences before leaving the Mary Lane area, Sheriff Dickerson said.
A search and rescue operation was launched at the scene, and the area was searched until dark Wednesday of last week. The search resumed Thursday morning. Then Saturday morning a helicopter and about 300 volunteers (fire departments, law enforcement and others) assisted in a thorough search of a quarter to half mile radius from the location at Mary Lane, Mills said.
A set of camo Crocs was found off the interstate in the wood line near the white Jeep, he said.
Another search Sunday focused on areas that were not covered Saturday.
Monday of this week, an individual driving through the area last Thursday told the sheriff’s investigators he saw a person walking around 5:15 p.m. March 4 about 100 yards west of the Coldwater Bridge on I-22 in DeSoto County, Mills said.
“He reported the man was wearing a blue hoodie, light colored pants and had a little black mustache,” Mills said.
By that time, the photo of Nava and story of his missing had been run on much of the televised media.
Family members said Nava speaks English fluently.
Anyone who has any information that could lead to the whereabouts of Nava is asked to call any local law enforcement agency, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department (662-252-1311) or Nava’s sister at 662-800-4280.