MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It has been nearly six months since two men from Panola County both disappeared within two weeks of each other.
Larry Robinson Jr., 47, of Batesville, Mississippi, was last seen on January 22. His family reported him missing to the Batesville Police Department.
“He and I, we have always been close, he was a momma’s boy, he would always come by to check on me,” said Rosetta Robinson, Robinson’s mother.
Wayne Miller Jr., 33, of Sardis, Mississippi, disappeared on February 5. His mother says she remembers the last time she heard his voice.
“He said Momma, you know you got a birthday coming up, he said, I’m going to give you something nice for your birthday and I just laughed, and from there on, I haven’t heard from my baby, ” said Annette Hanes, Miller’s mother.
Miller was seen on camera near the intersection of Highway 51 and Highway 315 in Sardis, Mississippi.
Panola County Sheriff deputies pinged his phone and located his vehicle 53 miles away in South Memphis near Zodiac Park.
Miller was nowhere to be found, but his keys were in the front seat of the car. His phone was also missing.
Panola County Sheriff Shane Phelps says they’ve checked into every tip that his department has received, including in late May after a dog found what appeared to be human remains near Barnacre Road near Sardis.
Deputies spent hours searching the area, and Phelps says the human remains were turned over to the Mississippi Crime Lab for identification.
They are still waiting on the results.
“We have looked into everything, and we are going to continue to look into everything,” Phelps said. “Because I want to give that family answers.”
Meanwhile, their families are praying that they will be found alive.
“We ask that you would please come forward and share what you know. If it were your family, you would want someone to tell you something, we just want to know,” Rosetta Robinson said.
“I told the family that I hope that the phone rings and it’s them, we do, we do, but at this point we just don’t know,” Phelps said. “Put yourself in these parents’ shoes right now. If you know anything about this case, no matter how big or small, call us, please. Call us, the family needs some answers.”
If you know anything about the disappearance of Larry Robinson Jr. and Wayne Miller Jr., you are urged to call Mississippi CrimeStoppers at 1-888-827-4637 or 662-209-2011. CrimeStoppers is offering a reward for information leading to their whereabouts, and remember, all calls are confidential.
