Local Airman missing for weeks

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A local Airman has vanished, and his family has turned to News 4 for help. Richard Jones vanished without a trace more than two weeks ago. His loved ones just want him home.

Jones is a Senior Airman with the 914th Air Medical Staging Squadron in Niagara Falls. He's in good standing with the Air Reserves and his family says this is completely unlike him to disappear without contact.

Mildred Jones has been looking for her 23-year-old son since October 22. Jones was last seen leaving his home on Herkimer Street near Lafayette Avenue. When he didn't show up for his Air Reserve duty 12 days later, his family really started to worry.

"He's in the reserves. He goes every other weekend. He's faithful about doing that. So that's when the concern came, when he didn't report," Mildred said.

Mildred said her son showed some bizarre behavior leading up to his disappearance. Jones had grown more reclusive and was spending more time in his room.

The last time his mother saw him was when they needed to clean their rental home for a routine inspection.

"I really don't know [why that bothered him so much]. He said he didn't want nobody in his room. He was looking kind of bizarre, you know," Mildred responded.

She says it's unusual for him to leave and cut off communication.

Mildred said, "I'm very hopeful he's still alive. I prayed and everything. I gave it to the church. The prayers are going out all over. And I feel he's alive. I'm not sure [what happened]. I just want to find him. I'm not sure. I just want safe return of my son. I can't even say."

Richard Jones is 5'9" tall and 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a backpack and beats headphones. If you know anything, call the Buffalo Police Confidential Tip Line at 847-2255.