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Francis marks three months since her son’s disappearance

By Staff | Aug 3, 2011

Earnest Edward Francis, age 32, of McKinley Street, Sistersville has been missing since May 4.

Three months have passed, but Louise and William Francis still hold on to the hope their son, Earnest, will return home safely.

Earnest Edward Francis, age 32, of McKinley Street, Sistersville has been missing since May 4. According to his mother, he left her house around 3 p.m. that day to take his children to an appointment. “After the appointment, he told his (estranged) wife he was going to get gas and go to work,” Louise explained. Law enforcement verified Earnest was seen on the station’s surveillance video pumping gas. Reports indicate he was last seen at 9 p.m. near New Martinsville’s Howard Jeffers (Hydro) Drive.

Motorized and foot searches have been conducted in the area by the New Martinsville Police Department, New Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department and Tyler County Search and Rescue. However, no traces of Earnest have been found.

The Francis’ have conducted searches as well and have posted signs from Wheeling to Barlow, Ohio to get the word out about their missing son. They have followed up on every lead they have received as a result. “We’ve had several calls that Earnest has been seen here and there,” Louise explained. “William has been out and about every day looking for him. Every time we get a call, he checks it out to see if he can find him.”

Louise has monitored Earnest’s Facebook page since he was reported missing in May. To date, the page boasts more than 600 friends. Louise recently created a social networking event on Facebook called “Earnest, come home now – A Reminisce” to interact with those who follow the case online. “On Aug. 4 Earnest will have been missing for three months. I know that not all of the 600 plus Facebook friends do not know him personally and therefore do not have photos with him and nothing to actually reminisce with him about. So I’ve asked the ones who don’t have a photo of him to post one of themselves with a prayer, a poem or a wish for Earnest,” she explained.

Louise says she hopes her son will see the page, read the messages and come home. “I hope he will see that people are praying for him to come home, that people want to meet him, and it will convince him it’s time to come home.”

She noted that some of rumors indicate Earnest might be suffering from severe depression or perhaps, amnesia. “He may not be in his right mind. We don’t know what condition he may be in, where he is, why he hasn’t come home, if he’s able. There are so many unanswered questions,” Louise said. ” In the meantime, my husband continues to put out fliers, run down leads and search for him.”

Although she is weary from the search, Louise finds time to show her appreciation for the support of the community. “I’d like to thank the newspapers, everyone on Facebook, Suddenlink, Magic 99.5, the City of New Martinsville, New Martinsville Police Department and other law enforcement agencies in the area, and anyone else I may have forgotten,” she said. “We appreciate all the help and all the prayers.”

At the time of his disappearance, Earnest was reportedly wearing a black top, green flannel shirt, black jeans, sandals and glasses. He is 5-foot,10-inches tall, weighs 190 pounds with red hair and blue eyes. He has three piercings in his left ear and multiple tattoos.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call NMPD at 304-455-9100.