Search continues for missing man
Authorities are continuing their search for 43-year-old David Dewayne Abbott, who left his Fort Oglethorpe apartment on Wednesday, June 22, and hasn’t been heard from since.
Abbott left his Battlewood Apartment on Fant Drive around 11 p.m. and disappeared.
Now, after locating his truck in McMinn County, Tenn., and spending the time since looking for him, Abbott’s girlfriend, children and family gathered at the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department on Wednesday morning, July 6, to again ask for the public’s help in locating him.
“If anyone sees him, please, get him some help….he’s not in any kind of trouble, he just needs medical attention,” said Regina Snyder, Abbott’s significant other of 17 years.
According to Snyder, and Detective Lt. Steve Blevins, who is overseeing the case, Abbott suffers from schizophrenia and had recently been off his medication.
Snyder filed a missing person report with Fort Oglethorpe police on Friday, June 24. Shortly thereafter, Abbott’s silver 1997 Nissan truck was located in Athens, Tenn.
“His vehicle was found up on County Road 126 in McMinn County,” Blevins said. “Both myself, the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office, and the Athens Police Department have been active in trying to locate Mr. Abbott in that general area.”
There didn’t appear to be any sign of a struggle near or in Abbott’s vehicle.
“The truck was found to be running mechanically sound,” Blevins said. “Abbott’s keys to the vehicle and his cell phone were found in the vehicle.”
Blevins said the cell phone hadn’t been used in a couple of days.
“The 22nd and 23rd was the last time the phone was used,” he said.
When asked whether he thought foul play was involved, Blevins stated he didn’t believe that was the case at this time.
Abbott was last seen wearing black basketball shorts, black flip-flops, a knee brace, a red muscleshirt. His longhaired appearance from the missing person photo has changed a bit as police now say he has a “high and tight” military-style cut.
He also has a significant scar on his right arm, and a wedding band tattoo on his left ring finger.