‘Come home, buddy;’ $25K reward offered for safe return of missing 19-year-old last seen in Wilmington

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (WWAY) — The parents of a missing 19-year-old are pleading for help finding their son, Robert Shirah, who was last seen more than a week ago in the Wilmington area.

Stephen and Mary Shirah, of Summerville, South Carolina, are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to their son’s safe return.

“Frustrated, tired, hopeful, angry I mean, we got a range of emotions,” Stephen said.

The family traveled to Wrightsville Beach earlier this month to visit relatives and spend time together.

“We went to go visit my mom and my brother was with me and then I brought Robert and then his little sister just to spend one night out of the beach,” Mary said.

After visiting the beach around 8:30 p.m., the family returned to a home on Sea Oats Lane for the night.

“And Robert took a long shower and we all kind of went to bed around 1030 or so and then woke up the next morning and I just noticed he wasn’t there,” Mary said.

Stephen and Mary describe Robert as introverted and spiritual. Before contacting police, they initially believed he may have gone to visit a nearby church.

Stephen said Robert had been pursuing an education in Christian theology with hopes of becoming a missionary.

However, his parents say Robert has experienced mental health challenges in the past.

“About this time last year, he just kind of had a little episode of psychosis and we, got him some help and, things were looking up,” Stephen said.

According to his parents, Robert had also fasted from food for 27 days just months before his disappearance.

“I would call it a religious psychosis that he’s going through. And when he does extreme things, he does extreme things,” Stephen said.

Wrightsville Beach police say Robert was last seen crossing the Heide Trask Drawbridge on Oct. 18 at 12:47 a.m. He was later spotted near the intersection of Eastwood Road and Racine Drive in Wilmington at approximately 1:48 a.m.

Investigators say there have been possible sightings of Robert in Whiteville, Fair Bluff and Myrtle Beach, but none have been confirmed.

In a statement to WWAY, Cpl. Leslie Vaughan with the Wrightsville Beach Police Department said investigators are continuing to follow credible leads.

“Investigators believe Robert has left the Wrightsville Beach area and not returned and was last seen in Wilmington. This remains an active investigation.”

As the search continues, Robert’s parents are hoping the $25,000 reward will encourage anyone with information to come forward.

They are also sending a heartfelt message directly to their son.

“Come home, buddy. We love you. We miss you. Your family needs you,” Stephen said.

Anyone who sees Robert Shirah or has information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911.