BLACKSBURG, Va. – UPDATE
The investigation into a Virginia Tech student reported missing last week is being closed, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said on Friday, Feb. 23, law enforcement in Missouri made personal contact with Johnny Roop. Roop was by himself at the time and fully answered the questions that were presented to him, according to authorities.
As a result, the sheriff’s office said Roop is no longer considered a missing person, and the investigation into his disappearance is being closed.
“Again, we wish to thank all law enforcement personnel, businesses, and the public for their assistance in this investigation,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.
UPDATE
The Virginia Tech student who was reported missing was spotted in Missouri on Feb. 21, 2024, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
We’re told 20-year-old Johnny Roop was seen at a restaurant in Poplar Bluff, Missouri on Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities said Roop was alone at the time and left the restaurant alone in his vehicle, a black 2018 Toyota Camry with VA license plate number: TXW6643, as shown below.
Law enforcement was alerted and tried to locate Roop without success, but the search continued into the day Thursday.
“While there are many unanswered questions, based on this personal sighting, we believe Mr. Roop is acting alone and traveling on his own free will,” the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release. “We appreciate the cooperation of law enforcement organizations, businesses, and the public during this investigation.”
Roop is described as being 6 feet, 3 inches tall and said he is about 240 pounds.
UPDATE
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for missing 20-year-old Johnny Roop, who attends Virginia Tech.
Authorities said they believe Roop left Montgomery County on his own Friday afternoon, and based on information received thus far, they think he may have traveled toward Southwest Virginia or Tennessee.
The sheriff’s office also released new photos from surveillance footage of Roop taken on Friday afternoon at a local business.
We’re told Roop’s behavior was out of the normal but there is no information to indicate that Roop is in immediate danger. However, they are hoping to find him and make contact to ensure he is safe.
As we reported below, authorities said Roop’s phone pinged near the New River Valley Mall shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Friday. He was supposed to be going to his parent’s home in Abingdon to take an online exam by 5 p.m. that evening but never arrived.
He was believed to be driving a black 2018 Toyota Camry with VA license plate number: TXW6643, as shown below. The car has a Virginia Tech flag sticker on the back window as well.
The sheriff’s office described him as 6 feet, 3 inches tall and said he is about 240 pounds.
ORIGINAL STORY
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is seeking public help in locating a missing 20-year-old Virginia Tech student.
Authorities said Johnny Roop was last seen at his apartment complex on Canyon Ridge Road in the Merrimac area of Montgomery County on Friday (Feb. 16). He had been headed to his parent’s home in Abingdon, roughly an hour and 40 minutes away, to take an online exam by 5 p.m.; however, he never arrived, according to deputies.
The sheriff’s office told 10 News that the same day, his phone pinged near the New River Valley Mall shortly before 4:30 p.m.
He is believed to be driving a black 2018 Toyota Camry with VA license plate number: TXW6643, as shown below. The car has a Virginia Tech flag sticker on the back window as well.
The sheriff’s office describes him as 6 feet, 3 inches tall and said he is about 240 pounds.
On Monday afternoon, 10 News talked to one of Johnny’s childhood friends, and he said since he heard the news, he’s been worried sick.
“You just get that bad feeling in your stomach,” said Isaac Childress. “I went and messaged him, and I saw his mom had posted something and I was like ‘man, something is just not adding up.’”
He said this isn’t something Johnny would do.
“John is not the kind of guy that just goes missing,” said Childress. “You have some buddies you don’t hear from in a couple days and it’s just the norm, they do their own thing, but Johnny, he is a family and friend-oriented man.”
He said now, he just wants as many people out looking for Johnny.
“When situations come like this, time is the necessity to find somebody,” Childress said.
He said he has been left with more questions than answers
“So many things just unturned,” said Childress. “Why was he at the Christiansburg mall with his phone like 20 minutes before the test if he was leaving from Blacksburg to Abingdon at 10 o’clock in the morning? That is when his friends said that he left.”
If you have any information or see his vehicle, you’re asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 540-382-4343.