University of Mississippi student Jimmie "Jay" Lee has been missing for more than a week. The 20-year-old was last seen on the morning of Friday, July 8 leaving the Campus Walk Apartments at Ole Miss around 6 a.m., according to the Oxford Police Department.
The department said that Lee was last seen wearing a "silver robe or housecoat," gold sleeping cap, and gray slippers.
Authorities say a tow company removed Lee’s car from an apartment complex near the Molly Barr Trails in Oxford, Mississippi, later that day, off-campus more than two miles away from where it was seen.
They have recovered it at the tow yard and brought it to the state crime lab for processing, police said. Police said on social media that the tow company was getting a lot of backlash for towing the car, but the department said the company has been fully cooperative and should not be criticized for towing the car as it was instructed to do.
Police said they believe Lee may have been visiting someone at the apartment complex, but have not elaborated on who, if anyone, Lee was known to spend time with there.
Lee's family has come out to ask for support and help in the search for the young man. His father released a video through the police department in hopes of getting more people talking about potential sightings of Lee and what could have happened to him.
"I am asking that if anyone knows anything, or sees anything, say something," Lee’s father said in a 2-minute video shared by Oxford police. "Call, contact law enforcement, just tell them what you know. This is my plea that you help find my child."
He described Lee as a hard worker who wanted to help others.
"My son was currently working on an effort to provide infant formula to children who did not have it available," he said in the clip.
Lee is 5 feet, 7 inches tall, and weighs around 120 pounds, with black and blonde hair.
Lee is well-known for his vibrant personality, caring attitude, community work, and involvement in the LGBT community, according to posts on Facebook. The student is a public policy major and was very involved on campus.
Social media has exploded with posts hoping Lee is found, many under the hashtag #Jaylee.
As of July 14, Oxford Police Department said it has followed up on every tip that has come in, and "no tip is too small."
Lee's vehicle was taken to the Mississippi State Crime Lab for testing. Around a dozen search warrants have been executed on "both physical and digital entitles."
"We apprecitate the outpouring of support for lee and his family and understand that the community wants to help in any way possible. However, right now we need information more than anything," the police wrote in a statement. "We will continue to update as developments occur."
CrimeStoppers has pledged $1,000 and the family has pledged $5,000 for anyone with information that leads to Lee being found.
Those with any information should contact the Oxford Police Department at 662-232-2400 o Crime Stoppers at 662-234-8477. Police are also accepting tips through their social media platforms, including Facebook, as well as through email.
