May 16, 2001
Gary Davidson
Public Information Officer

INVESTIGATORS APPEAL FOR INFORMATION IN MISSING PERSONS CASE 

Sheriff’s and FBI officials investigating the May 12 disappearance of 77-year-old Lillian Martin and her 10-year-old grandson, Joshua Bryant, are renewing their public appeal for information regarding the case. Investigators have followed numerous leads to their logical conclusion and are appealing to the public to come forward with any additional information that might be helpful in the search. “We have received a tremendous response from the public, but at the same time have reason to believe that there may be individuals with information pertinent to this investigation who, for whatever reason, haven’t chosen to come forward,” said Capt. Dave Hudson, commander of Investigative Services for the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the lead agency in the investigation. “We are asking these persons to contact the Sheriff’s Office as soon as possible to help us bring this case to a successful conclusion.”

Anyone who may have information regarding suspicious persons or unusual vehicles in the neighborhood surrounding West Seagate Drive in Deltona is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office.  “We’re asking anyone with information to call us, even if you think the information isn’t important or already has been reported by someone else,” said Capt. Hudson. “Your call may be the one that provides us with the information needed to solve this case.”

The numbers to contact the Sheriff’s Office are as follows: (386)-736-5999 in the West Volusia area, (386)-248-1777 in the Daytona Beach area and (386)-423-3888 in the New Smyrna Beach area. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers of Volusia & Flagler Counties, toll-free, at 1-888-277-TIPS.

Meanwhile, the search for Lillian and Joshua has gone nationwide. On Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office consulted with several agents from the Jacksonville Division of the FBI who have been called in to assist in the investigation. A missing persons flier along with photographs has been posted on the Internet web site of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. And investigators have made an appeal to local news organizations covering the case to broadcast the information nationwide. Also, a special Post Office box for citizens who would prefer to send written information or tips about this case has been established (P.O. Box 10334, Daytona Beach, FL 32120-0334). “We will use every available tool and spare no resources in our efforts to solve this case,” said Captain Hudson.