PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Authorities are seeking tips from the community to help find a missing 17-year-old from the Salem area, Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday.
Ezra Mayhugh was last seen October 15, 2021 after a friend dropped him off in downtown Salem. When Mayhugh didn’t come home the next day, officials said he was reported as a runaway to the Sheriff’s Office.
His father, Rex Mayhugh, said Ezra’s phone went off the line on October 18, 2021 and all his social media was deleted about a week later.
After talking to Mayhugh’s coworker, his family found out he was the victim of a catfishing scheme — speaking to someone intimately online that he thought was his age but wasn’t.
“He actually sent me the screenshots from some texts that they did, which developed the story of why he left or took off and whether he was doing that to protect us, or out of guilt, I don’t know what’s going on in his head,” Rex Mayhugh said.
Officials said it’s possible Mayhugh traveled to California or Washington — particularly in the Seattle area.
His dad told KOIN 6 News he was up there all last weekend putting up fliers.
His message to Ezra tonight: you’re not in trouble, please come home for Christmas, it is safe here.
And his message to other families is this: don’t be afraid to have the tough conversations with your kids about being safe online.
Mayhugh is about 5-foot-11, weighs 130 lbs and has blonde hair and brown eyes.
Investigators ask anyone who may have been in contact with Mayhugh since October 15, 2021, to contact Detective M.J. Sphoon at 503-588-6808 or to submit a tip by texting TIPMCSO at 847411.