U.S. Rep. John Conyers 'very worried' about missing son
U.S. Rep. John Conyers on Thursday said he is "very worried" after his 21-year-old son was reported missing Tuesday from his apartment near the University of Houston.
"We've notified the FBI," Conyers told The Detroit News about his missing son, Carl Conyers, who is a students at the university. "I'm very worried. It's very unlike him. He's a very stable young guy."
At the U.S. Capitol Thursday, Conyers said his wife Monica is in Texas.
Carl Conyers was last seen by his roommate Tuesday afternoon on the 3700 block of Southmore in Houston, said Kese Smith, public information officer for the Houston Police Department. The apartment is not far from the university campus.
"We are working with the FBI and the Secret Service, and there is also an outside, private organization called Equusearch," Smith said. "They've been contacted and they'll be lending their assistance to help canvas the area."
Later Thursday, Conyers' office released a statement in which the congressman asked for privacy and he and his family "work through this situation of uncertainty and ask that anyone with knowledge of their son’s whereabouts, contact the Houston Police Department immediately.”
Equusearch is a Texas-based nonprofit created in 2000 to aid in missing-persons cases.
Smith said the FBI and Secret Service are involved because Conyers is the son of a congressman. He declined to comment further on the investigation.
The Houston Chronicle reported that Conyers' girlfriend, Daisha Lewis, became worried Tuesday when he didn't respond to her text.
Police: U.S. Rep. John Conyers’ son found safe
On Wednesday, she went to his apartment and found his wallet, photos of family and friends, laptop, car keys and phone in the room, which was in disarray.
"To see his room like that, it was scary," Lewis told the Chronicle.
Lewis also told the Houston Chronicle that she and other friends have received private messages from a person purporting to be Conyers since his disappearance.
In one message, she said, he urged friends to meet him on Houston's campus. When they returned to the apartment, his ID was gone and clothes were missing.
"I don't think he would do any of this," she told the newspaper. "Everyone cares about him. He has no problems with anyone. He's a good person."
The Houston Police Department on Wednesday released a missing-persons flier describing Conyers, who is 6-foot and around 145 pounds. He has a light-brown complexion, black hair and brown eyes.
In a photograph released by officials, Conyers has facial hair that was shaved prior to his disappearance, police said.
University police confirmed Conyers is a student at the University of Houston.
"Certainly the university and the university police department are cooperating with (the Houston Police Department) and (Conyers') family," spokesman Mike Rosen said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Houston police at 713-884-3131 or 832-394-1840.
Staff Writer Christine MacDonald contributed
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