Family Turns To Social Media In Hopes Of Finding Westchester Man Missing In Mexico
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The family of a Westchester man who went missing while on a motorcycle trip in Mexico is turning to social media for help as the desperately wait for word on his whereabouts.
The family of Harry Devert of Pelham says he's been missing since the end of January.
"It's unlike him not to be in contact with any of us for all this time," his girlfriend Sarah Schiear said.
Devert's family last heard from him on Jan. 25 when he sent a text message saying he was given an escort out of an area that had been deemed dangerous and included in travel warnings issued by the State Department.
"Just got an hour-and-a-half escort out of some area. It was too dangerous for me to be. Stopping for lunch and voila internet," the message read.
Devert had been keeping in close touch with loved ones during his journey. The 32-year-old world traveler and adventure blogger said he was also expecting more escorts waiting for him in other towns.
"We all have so much faith in him, that he wouldn't, that nothing bad could happen to him," Schiear said. "But obviously now we are terrified and it's a different story."
His mother, Ann Devert, says he has been known to drop out of communication for up to three weeks, but typically gives her a heads up before.
She has contacted the U.S. Embassy in Mexico and is pleading with local government officials to step in.
"I need help from the U.S. government to pressure the Mexican government to have the federal forces looking for him," she said. "We need to be so proactive because Harry can slip away."
Friends have set up a Facebook page for help.
Late Saturday, someone posted a message in Spanish saying they knew where he was, including a phone number that traced back to the Mexican region where Devert vanished. So far, no one has answered the family's calls.
"I have to believe that he's OK," Schiear said. "I just have to."
Strangers have been calling to lend support to the search effort.
"People like Pedro from Long Island that I don't know and he's connected with the Red Cross, his brother happens to live in Mexico very close to where Harry was last seen and he's putting a team together to go searching along Route 134," family friend Jackie Burrell told WCBS 880's Sean Adams.
Harry's mother said she's optimistic and grateful for the outpouring of support.
"Harry's my son, Jackie's a mom to him, but he's everyone's person. He's everyone's son," Ann Devert told Adams. "My son says yes to life and he says yes, thank you wherever he is to everyone who's helping in this effort."
According to his travel blog, "A New Yorkers Travels,'' Devert started his trip in New York City.
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