Mother searches for missing airman

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A local airman disappeared without a trace and his family is desperate to find him. A local mother said she thought he was just leaving their home for a minute and would come back. When he didn’t, and failed to show up for reserve duty weeks later, the family really started to get concerned.

Senior Airman Richard Jones, 23, was last seen leaving his home on Herkimer Street, near Lafayette Avenue, on October 22nd. Now his mother Mildred Jones has started a grassroots effort to find him.

She says her son is dedicated to his work with the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station’s 914th Airlift Wing, so when he didn’t show up for duty, his family started to worry.

Mildred Jones said, “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 says Richard showed some bizarre behavior leading up to his disappearance. He was growing more reclusive, spending more time in his room.

“He said he didn't want nobody in his room. He was looking kind of bizarre, you know,” said Mildred.

She feels he is alive, but has no idea what might have happened. “I'm not sure. I just want to find him. I'm not sure. I just want safe return of my son. I can't even say,” said Mildred.

Richard Jones is 5’9” and 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, a back pack and Beats headphones. If you know anything, you are asked to call the Buffalo Police Confidential Tipline at 847-2255.