Martin Roberts Missing: New Age-Progression Image Released Nearly 10 Years After Disappearance in Boone, NC
Nearly 10 years after James “Martin” Roberts disappeared in Boone, North Carolina, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has released a new age-progression image showing what he may look like today. His family continues to search for answers and hopes the updated image will help bring renewed attention to his disappearance.
According to NCMEC, Martin was 19 years old when he was last seen on April 21, 2016. At the time, he was attending Caldwell Community College and living with his fraternity brothers in an off-campus apartment in Boone.
On the morning of his disappearance, Martin told his roommates that he planned to visit the Appalachian State University library to study. He left the apartment on Old Bristol Road carrying a small backpack.
Last Known Sighting in Boone
While walking toward the library, Martin encountered his cousin, who was attending Appalachian State University. The two spent some time talking before Martin accompanied his cousin to a bus stop on Rivers Street, outside the George M. Holmes Convocation Center.
After his cousin boarded the bus, Martin walked away from the area. Surveillance footage from the bus captured him leaving, marking his last known sighting.
Martin never returned to his apartment. Boone Police Department conducted searches and followed investigative leads, but his whereabouts remain unknown.
His disappearance has left his family without answers for nearly a decade.
New Age-Progression Image Released
NCMEC has now released an updated age-progression image created by one of its forensic artists. The image depicts how Martin might look at approximately 30 years old.
His mother, Kim, hopes the updated photograph will help people recognize her son and encourage anyone with information to come forward.
NCMEC Communications Director Angeline Hartmann explained that age-progression images can give the public a fresh opportunity to recognize missing individuals. The organization hopes someone may remember seeing Martin in 2016 or have information that could help investigators.
Distinctive Tattoos and Clothing
When Martin disappeared, he had two distinctive tattoos. Three colored mountains in red, blue and black appeared on his left forearm. He also had a tattoo on the right side of his rib cage featuring lyrics from Bob Marley’s song “Zion Train.”
He was last seen wearing a black, short-sleeve Appalachian State windbreaker, khaki shorts, a white golf visor and gray New Balance tennis shoes. He was also carrying a backpack.
Anyone who recognizes Martin’s updated image or has information about his disappearance is urged to contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or the Boone Police Department at 828-268-6900.
His family continues to hope that renewed public attention will lead to answers and bring Martin home.