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2 Missing Fort Bliss Soldiers: Families Seeking Help

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Two Fort Bliss soldiers have been listed as missing for approximately two weeks now; they were last heard from at their base on December 19, 2016. Jake Obad-Mathis’ and Melvin Jones’ families have identified that the soldiers’ phones are turned off, and there’s been no luck in trying to locate them. The two were last seen in a 2013 Black Chevrolet Camaro, Texas plates: HTV-9983. Neither soldier has contacted their family, and a program spokesman for Army Warriors in Recovery has identified that no activity has been noted on either of their social media accounts.

2 Missing Fort Bliss Soldiers: Families Seeking Help

Photo: Wikimedia

Melvin Jones was on leave from the Army until this month, however, Kathy Mathis, Jake’s mother, has stated that her son is now considered “AWOL” by the Army. With Jones not being considered as such until after his leave is completed, the Army won’t conduct a search until after they have been considered AWOL for 30 days. In the meantime, El Paso police will also not conduct a missing person investigation at Fort Bliss, considering the matter to be military. Family members believe the two of them may be in danger.

2 Missing Fort Bliss Soldiers: Families Seeking Help

Photo: Wikimedia

In an interview with KVIA-TV, Melvin Jones’ father, Duane Jones, said that his son had planned to meet him at the airport with the intent of going to the recent Sun Bowl game, but Melvin never showed. He was last seen with Jake on post and friends and family have noted that they were unaware that the two were missing until Jake failed to report for work. Mathis normally stays in daily contact with his family and had planned to spend the Christmas holiday on base with his Commanding Sergeant.

2 Missing Fort Bliss Soldiers: Families Seeking Help

Photo: Wikipedia

Assisting the families with obtaining information on the soldiers’ whereabouts is The Warriors Aftermath and Recovery Group. If you have any information regarding either of these men, you’re asked to contact them at (208) 724-7123 or the El Paso Police Department at (915) 832-4400. Jones is described as a black male with a light complexion, approximately 5’3”, and weighing 130 lbs. Obad-Mathis is described as an Asian-American male, approximately 5’3”, weighing 120 lbs. He also has been described as having brown eyes and hair, as well as a tattoo of a Japanese cherry tree on his right rib cage and two phrases on his forearms.

Sources:

Houston Chronicle

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