The family of a man who disappeared almost two years ago is enlisting the help of a private investigator to unravel the mystery surrounding his vanishing, in a bid to prevent their loved one from becoming just a statistic.
Chris Harper, aged 37 at the time, went missing in November 2024 from Burlington, Vermont, leaving no trace behind after being last seen at a residence he was residing in. Despite the absence of any sightings, his family remains optimistic about his well-being while grappling with the fear of the unknown.
Sandy Harper, 66, Chris’s mother, has announced a $5,000 reward for any information leading to Chris’s discovery. Alongside this reward, they have engaged a private investigator, hoping for crucial insights that could offer closure to their distressing situation.
Expressing the anguish of a parent with a missing child, Sandy shared, “When a child goes missing, it tears you apart. You become numb, but you try to move along with your day and do what you need to do. It is like your spirit is not what it used to be, your soul is hurting, and so is your heart.”
In the relentless pursuit of finding Chris, Sandy and her husband, Jesse Harper, 70, have made multiple emotional trips to Burlington, striving to uncover any leads about their son’s whereabouts, albeit without success.
Describing Chris as an avid outdoorsman with a profound love for music, Sandy revealed that he had relocated to Burlington 18 months before his disappearance, forging a life in Vermont. Their bond was exceptionally strong, with daily conversations and thoughtful messages from Chris before his sudden disappearance.
Having struggled with alcohol addiction in the past, Chris had voluntarily sought rehabilitation in July 2024 before transitioning to a local halfway house in Burlington by November of the same year, awaiting a permanent placement in a sober living environment.
The last known communication with Chris occurred on November 14, 2024, when he seemed upbeat and positive about his future plans. However, subsequent days passed without any contact, prompting concern from family members and acquaintances, leading to the eventual involvement of law enforcement in the search efforts.
Despite tireless endeavors and collaborative initiatives with detectives, the family’s quest to locate Chris has yielded no concrete results so far. Regular trips to Vermont and neighboring areas have been part of their ongoing search strategy, but the mystery surrounding Chris’s disappearance persists, overshadowing significant family events.
In a heartfelt plea to the public, Sandy emphasized the importance of keeping Chris’s case active and not allowing it to fade into obscurity. The family’s determination to find answers and bring Chris home remains unwavering, fuelled by hope and faith in a positive outcome.
Recently, a fundraiser was organized in Morrisville, Vermont, to gather funds for the ongoing search efforts, reflecting the family’s unwavering commitment to reunite with Chris. Emotionally, Sandy expressed, “We just want to find him. We don’t want to give up hope that he is not alive, but we always know there could have been a serious accident.”
To support the family’s search for Chris, donations can be made via the GoFundMe page established for this purpose. The family’s message to Chris echoes with love, longing, and an undying hope for his safe return.
