‘I never lost faith;’ Family celebrates return of missing 19-year-old in New Hanover County
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A 19-year-old South Carolina man who had been missing for more than a week in New Hanover County has been found safe, bringing an emotional end to a search that involved multiple law enforcement agencies and community members.
Robert Shirah, of Summerville, South Carolina, was reported missing after disappearing from a home on Sea Oats Lane in Wrightsville Beach on Oct. 18.
On Wednesday morning, Oct. 28, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office received a call reporting that Shirah had been spotted walking along Interstate 140 near the Castle Hayne exit.
His father, Stephen Shirah, spoke with WWAY shortly after learning his son had been found.
“I never lost faith, man, you know, I prayed to God every day that he’s gonna be found safe,” Stephen said.
Stephen recalled the emotional moment he received the phone call confirming his son was alive.
“The sheriff’s office in New Hanover County called and said ‘is this Stephen?’ and I said ‘yes’ and he said ‘this is sheriff so and so and I’m sitting here with Robert,'” Stephen said. “I jumped out of bed and if I knew how to do a cartwheel I would have done a cartwheel.”
According to Stephen, Robert had apparently spent the past 10 days camping in the woods.
Stephen said his son had previously gone on a 27-day fast and believes his religious beliefs may have played a role in 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.
Despite spending more than a week outdoors, including nights when temperatures dropped into the 40s, Robert was found safe.
Stephen said deputies asked Robert if he was ready to go home, and he responded, “yes.”
Robert was taken to a hospital for additional testing after reportedly going 10 days without food. His father said he was doing OK.
The search for Robert involved several law enforcement agencies, including the Wrightsville Beach Police Department, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and other regional and state agencies.
Stephen expressed gratitude to the law enforcement officers, family members, friends and Wilmington-area residents who supported the search and helped keep the family’s hopes alive.
“God bless them all and everything everyone has done, I mean it was overwhelming,” Stephen said.
