15-year-old boy missing in Blacksburg, SW Virginia
Description
I lost my 15-year-old brother Eli Thompson yesterday around 6:15 pm. He was wearing a bright red hoodie, a gray zip-up jacket, dark jeans, and white sneakers. He has sandy brown hair and a small scar above his right eyebrow. Last seen near the Blacksburg Market on Main Street, close to the Lyric Theatre and the Virginia Tech campus area off Prices Fork Road in Southwest Virginia. I'm really worried—he's a minor and it would mean the world to have him back safe. If anyone sees him, please text or call me at (540) 555-0123 or email [email protected]; he has a light blue backpack with a silver zipper that might still have his student ID inside.
Approximate last-seen location
Pin shows an approximate area, not the exact spot — to protect privacy.
How to safely get your item back
A short checklist to protect you and the item during the handoff.
Verify the finder before meeting
- Ask them to describe a detail not shown in your listing, such as an engraving, scratch, or contents.
- Request a clear photo of the item from an angle you did not post.
- Do not pay any release, shipping, or storage fee.
- Do not share your full address until you have verified them.
Meet in a safe, public place
- Police stations, café entrances, transport hubs, and shop foyers all work.
- Meet during daylight hours where there is CCTV and foot traffic.
- Avoid private homes, car parks at night, or isolated locations.
Bring someone with you
- Tell a friend or family member where you are meeting and when.
- Share your live location with them during the handoff.
- For high-value items, consider contacting your local police station for advice first.
Keep communication on lostandfound.io
- Use the in-app message thread so there is a record if something goes wrong.
- Do not move to WhatsApp, SMS, or email until you have exchanged a verifying detail.
- Never share bank details, government ID numbers, or copies of your ID.