The family of a missing 21-year-old man whose car was found abandoned near Topanga on Aug. 11 renewed their appeal Thursday for public help in finding him, releasing hundreds of drone photographs of the area believed to have been his last known location.
Matthew Jonathan Weaver Jr. last had been seen on Aug. 10 in the 2600 block of Stearns Street in Simi Valley. Later that day, he sent a friend a text from the Las Rosas Overlook area near Stunt and Saddle Peak roads in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Early the following morning, his vehicle was found abandoned in that general area.
Weaver had just moved to Granada Hills shortly before his disappearance. He was described as white, 5-feet-10 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes.
On Thursday, Weaver’s family released 797 drone photographs and associated GPS and other Google Earth data of the area believed to have been his last known location. The high-resolution photos, taken via drone by Brad Baker of Chris Nelson & Associates in cooperation with Mountain Restoration Trust, are available for viewing at www.matthewweaver.tips.
At a news conference in mid-October, Weaver’s family had announced a reward of up to $50,000 for help in finding him. The reward remains in effect.
“We love him (and) miss him so much,” Matthew Weaver Sr. said of his son. “So please help us find out what happened to him. Stay strong, Matthew, we will find you.”
Information anyone may want to report after viewing the photos — as well as any general tips — may be submitted, either by name or anonymously, at the same website or by calling (800) 358-3830. Tipsters may also call the LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit at (213) 996-1800 or dial 911. Or they can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
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