PORT REPUBLIC, Md. — Police are asking for the public's help to find a boy who vanished from a Maryland town and has not been seen in more than 50 years. Maryland State Police investigators are hoping a renewed focus on the case will bring fresh leads.
Bob Boyes, who was 10 years old when was last seen on Dec. 26, 1968, while walking home with his pet deer on Wash Hance Road in Port Republic. Soon after his disappearance, hundreds of volunteers searched for him, both on the ground and in the air.
“I’ll forever remember the response from the search team that Bobby disappeared in thin air, without a trace,” said Joy Lee, Boyes’ younger sister who was 3 years old when he disappeared. “How does that happen? Walking home from the neighbor’s house with his pet deer. His deer comes home but without him.”
The case turned cold after investigators ran out of leads. Detective Sgt. Kemery Hunt took over the investigation in 2021.
“We’ve delved into this case deeply, and our plan of attack was to knock on every door that we can,” Hunt said. “The original investigators also poured a tremendous amount of time into this case, but it’s just a puzzle that can’t be solved.”
The search continues for Boyes, who would be 66 years old today.
“Deep down, I know, someone knows something, but time is ticking,” Lee said. “I’m pleading to anyone who may know anything to reach out to local authorities.”
If you know something that could help investigators find Boyes, contact Detective Sergeant Hunt at 410-535-1400 or kemery.hunt@maryland.gov.
RELATED: Family gets closer to justice for daughter murdered 35 years ago, Virginia police make arrest
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.