The heartbroken father of a man who vanished a week ago has made an emotional plea for him to come home.
Lee Young, 32, was last seen near the A229 Cranbrook Road in Gill’s Green, Hawkhurst, at around 8.45am last Tuesday.
Since then, his distraught father, Gary Young, has been out searching for his “amazing and respectful” son, who he says vanished after saying goodbye to his partner at their home.
Mr Young told KentOnline his son works as a handyman and on the day he disappeared he had told his partner, who is pregnant, that he needed to pop out and do a few things, but that he loved her and would be home after.
From there “he just completely vanished,” dad-of-four Gary said.
He added: “Lee had his phone with him and his Whatsapp was online until 10.21am.”
Since then, there has been no activity. Something Gary says is unusual because Lee is “attached to his phone”.
The concerned father, who works as a coach and HGV driver, says he had last spoken to his son on the Friday before he went missing.
He was apparently in good spirits and told his father he had never been happier. That was the last time he heard from his son.
During that last conversation, he recalls Lee sharing his excitement about his baby being on the way.
He explained: “There is no way that he would just go like this. I am absolutely heartbroken.”
In a personal message to Lee, he said: “I just love you so much, please, please, please come home.
“I just hope that you are safe and I hope that you are well.
“Your brother and sister miss you so much. Your mum is going out of her mind. The whole family love you, your friends and your extended family love you.
“Please get in contact with us if you can. If someone has him, let him go.”
He described his son’s “big blue eyes” and “cheeky” personality, but said that his son is also vulnerable.
Although Gary says his son has gone missing for a few hours in the past, he says his son has never been missing for this length of time.
Lee is 32-year-old, white, and around 5ft 10ins with a slim build.
He has dark brown hair, blue eyes, and is thought to be wearing blue jeans, a light blue hooded jumper, and brown work boots.
Officers say they are growing concerned for his welfare.
Gary’s message to his son if he is reading this is: “You are not in any trouble, the family just want you to come home.”
Now he is urging the public to report any information that helps find his son in order to help the whole family who are dealing with the anxiety of the unknown.
Gary continues to search for his son in the surrounding area and implores others to join.
If you have critical information regarding the whereabouts of Lee please call 999, quoting reference 08-1682.
For all other information, please contact Kent Police via the live chat on its website or by dialling 101.
