Friends of an ETSU student who has been missing for more than a week describe him as a kind, considerate individual.

James Norwood, a 19-year-old freshman who was last seen Friday, April 12, at 10:30 p.m., had become increasingly involved in campus activities this year. He was working on his second theater production with the ETSU theater department at the time of his disappearance.

“My impression of James is his smile. He has the most winning smile of anyone I’ve ever known. He is a kind and gentle and shy soul whom everyone liked in the theater program, and whom we are all anxious to get to know,” said Pat Cronin, Norwood’s director in You Can’t Take It With You.

“He had a lot of friends. He cared about people. He was always thoughtful. He was always interested in learning. He loved to learn,” said Frederick Norwood, Norwood’s father who is an associate professor of mathetmatics at ETSU.

The case is baffling friends, family and investigators. Causing further alarm is the fact that Norwood’s car, a blue Toyota, was used Monday, April 15, in a bank robbery in Bristol. The car was then abandoned at Rooster Front Park just off of Vance Drive in Bristol.

“The robbery investigation is ongoing. Our number one lead to solving this robbery remains with this vehicle,” said Capt. Blaine Wade of the Bristol Tenn. Police Department. “Until we talk with the owner or the robber turns up, we still have unanswered questions about why the car was used. Our main focus is finding Mr. Norwood.”

The missing person investigation is being led by ETSU Public Safety.

“They are doing all they can and looking at this as a missing person report, said Kristn Fry, director of news and information services for university relations. “They are talking to friends, classmates, professors, anyone that might know something about James’ disappearance.”

The robbery and missing person investigation has several local agencies working on solving both cases.

“We are working very closely with ETSU Public Safety who is spearheading the missing person aspect of this case,” said Tom Brown, supervisor of the the FBI local branch. “Also, we are working with the Bristol Police Department. We have worked some with the Sullivan County Police Department, and even to some extent the Johnson City Police Department.

“We are working with any departments and agencies that might have any information in the case,” he said.

“It amounts to we are working the robbery aspect of this case hard,” Brown said. “James is presumed to be a witness to the robbery. We are very concerned in his well-being and finding him as soon as possible.”

Norwood’s father is not happy with the way the investigation is being conducted. “I’m very disappointed that the Johnson City Police Department is not looking into this at all. They seem to think it’s ETSU’s problem,” he said.

He also disagrees with the idea that Norwood is off simply hiking or camping. “James wouldn’t do that. There’s no way he would have missed that play he was in,” he said.

At least one group on campus is taking part in the effort to find James Norwood.

Alpha Phi Omega, the service fraternity which Norwood had just joined, will be sporting green ribbons, Norwood’s favorite color, as a show of support for him. They are also posting fliers all across campus, while some brothers are even putting the posters in their car windows.

“We are all very worried about James. He is a well-liked brother of our fraternity,” said Stephen Hendrix, president of Alpha Phi Omega, “Hopefully, some piece of evidence or lead will help discover where James is.

“We are willing to help in any way possible to find our brother and bring him home safely.”

So far, there have been no leads as to Norwood’s whereabouts, and as time stretches on, Norwood’s family and friends are left to pray, hope and try to stay positive until the case is solved.

“Everyone is always asking if there is anything they can do -and I appreciate it – but mostly, all we can really do is hope and pray,” said Frederick Norwood.

Cronin said, “I and all the members of the theater department are praying for his safe return, and we look forward to his leather hat and his Opie-like gentle spirit in our theater and in our school and in our lives.”

Because Norwood is an avid hiker, Wade said, “We are asking that if you see anyone camping, hiking, or bicycling matching Mr. Norwood’s description to call the police immediately.”

Anyone with any information about Norwood’s disappearance or the robbery is urged to call (423) 764-TIPS or 282-8090 or call ETSU Public Safety at 439-4480.

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