Family: Knife may be link to missing Collier man

Published: Updated:
WINK News

GOLDEN GATE, Fla. — Despite having called off the search for missing Collier County man, his family tells WINK News they discovered a knife Tuesday at the man’s previous residence.

They’re hoping that knife could belong to 27 year-old Jamie Curtis, who’s been missing since Friday.

Curtis’ brother Michael, 25, believes he could be around their previous residence on Rabbit Run Road in Naples.

“I think if he went anywhere he would be hiding out here,” Michael said. “Its not far from where he got out of the car.”

Although the search stalled, the family is clinging to any link connecting them to Jamie.

“For us – we have no peace. Our home’s not home without him .. we want him home. We want him home .. we want him found,” said Curtis’ mother, Betty Gosnell said. “We don’t want people to give up.”

Curtis was last seen at a store, according to a surveillance video released from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, before he bolted Friday from Gosnell’s car and into a swamp off Immokalee Road.

Gosnell and Michael confirmed Jamie has Asperger’s Syndrome.

“He’s high-functioning .. if you spoke to him on the streets,” Gosnell said. “Unless he’s in a panicked state you wouldn’t know he has disabilities.

Both Gosnell and Michael are lost on what to do next, but they encourage the public and community members to continue looking for Jamie.

“This is happening to us now .. and we’re devastated,” Gosnell said. “What do we do without him?”

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