JAMESTOWN – A media release sent out by Jamestown Police nearly two weeks ago labeling Sean Carpenter’s disappearance “suspicious” has sparked a buzz on the streets, in local restaurants, and of course, on social media.
A Facebook page dedicated to bringing awareness to Carpenter’s disappearance has more than 700 followers as of Sunday morning.
“We’ve reached 30,487 people so far online. Posters are up all around the Jamestown, NY/ Warren, PA and surrounding areas. Funds are being raised, but our Sean is still missing,” stated one post.
The funds that are needed for the costs associated with efforts used to determine his whereabouts are being raised on a GoFundMe page established April 13th (two days after he was reported missing).
As WNYNewsNow reported on Saturday, the GoFundMe page indicates that the “last known contact” with Carpenter was April 11th, at 3:00 A.M.
Law enforcement officials have shared with us in the past that the danger with social media in high-profile cases can sometimes make things difficult for investigators.
Further evidence of this assertion is evident on Sean Carpenter’s GoFundMe page, which shows information that contradicts JPD’s press release.
The “last contact time” vs JPD’s “last time seen” are 90 minutes off from one another.
Multiple attempts by WNYNewsNow to reach the person or persons behind the Carpenter social media awareness movement have been unsuccessful.
Law enforcement told The Post-Journal Friday that a State Police helicopter was used to search areas not accessible by foot.
Additional details about Friday’s aerial search have not been made public.
Several citizens we encountered on Saturday said they are following any developments closely.
“I am very concerned for this young man,” said one woman who preferred that we not use her name. “I was in the grocery store the other day, and that’s all I heard in the checkout line,” she said.
