MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby Co. Sheriff’s Office. canceled a “Be On the Lookout” alert for Donnell Roberts, whose family told WREG he died.
The BOLO alert was canceled Friday after deputies said they found a White 2017 Nissan Altima that matched the description of the same vehicle 26-year-old Donnell Roberts was driving the night he went missing.
BOLO issued for missing Memphis man
Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
WREG crews found a white Nissan Altima on Tuesday, December 30 behind Winridge Elementary in Hickory Hill after police found a body inside the car with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
At the scene, Memphis police confirmed an investigation into the death, but did not confirm a connection to the missing person report.
WREG reached out to MPD again and so far they have not responded.
In addition to the SCSO announcing it was calling off the search, WREG reached Robert’s mother Friday morning and said her son had died.
Roberts had not been seen since Dec. 22 and according to Shelby County Clerk of Court Jamita Swearengen, he was a county employee. Swearengen provided the following statement:
We are devastated beyond words that our beloved Donnell Roberts is gone! Donnell Roberts began as an employee with the Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in 2019 as a 19-year-old under the tutelage of Judge Jerry Stokes. Roberts grew exponentially under the guidance of Judge Stokes until Judge Stokes retired in 2022 and continued its amazing growth under Judge Cedrick Wooten. While he was the youngest in the department, he was extremely reliable and consistent with his work and with others. Mr. Donnell Roberts was an intelligent and bright young man who was a quick learner and very detailed. We will all truly miss his silent smile and always being the first one at work to grab two donuts at a time. Words will never be able to express the love and care we have for Donnell. He went too fast! He touched everyone around him in a different but significant way. We will always remember Donnell as an awesome father, son, grandson, brother, friend, co-worker and, above all, a young man who was loved by all. We miss and love you, Donnell!
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