Tri-State mother asks the community for tips about missing son

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ind. (WXIX) - A mother in Indiana, is asking for people’s help with information about her missing son.

Roger Purcell, 50, disappeared six months ago from the home he shared in West Harrison with his mother, Ruth Purcell.

Ruth thinks he last fed their horses because some feed was missing when he disappeared.

“You’re always going to be worried until you know for certain what happened to him,” Ruth told FOX19 NOW Monday.

Ruth will have her first Christmas without her son, and she says it’s been very sad.

When FOX19 NOW first interviewed Ruth over the summer, she mentioned that her son is both diabetic and has brain damage from a stroke. She said he had been hearing voices before he disappeared.

According to Ruth, Roger left his wallet, cell phone, and medications behind. She now believes her son is dead.

“I haven’t got rid of any of his clothes until I actually know he’s gone,” Ruth explained. “Mentally I know he has to be gone because he would’ve contacted me and the body hasn’t been found yet.”

Ruth theorizes that someone may have given her son a ride when he initially disappeared in late June, and she’s asking for that person to come forward.

“If only they’d have the courage to get in touch with the police and let us know, at least there would be a direction,” Ruth continued.

Roger was a local basketball coach for more than 20 years before he had a stroke and loved taking care of the family’s animals.

“I talk to his cat a lot, and I hope Rog knows I’m taking care of his cat,” Ruth said.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Fire Department, as well as Cincinnati Search and Rescue, have all searched the property for Roger, according to Ruth.

There are not any scheduled searches as of right now, but Ruth hopes to have some in the future.

Anyone with information about the disappearance of Roger Purcell is urged to call the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department at 765-647-4138.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.