U.S. Navy Sailor Missing for a Week: Concerns Grow
A U.S. Navy sailor, Nija “Towny” Townsend Jr., departed USS Germantown for shore leave in San Diego and has not been seen for nearly a week, according to reports from friends and family.
Nija Townsend Jr., a 20-year-old Navy member, was last spotted around 1 p.m. on a Saturday. His mother, Courtney Frazier, expressed her concern, stating that his phone is operational and fully charged, but authorities have declined her requests to locate it, citing legal constraints.
On the following Monday, when Townsend failed to return, his shipmates reached out to friends and family to find any clues about his whereabouts. Unfortunately, nobody had any information about his location.
Frazier noted, “His lieutenant said no he has not done this before, this is very out of character, and he always shows up for work.” She added that her son does not have any known issues with drugs or mental health.
Frazier attempted to file a missing person report with San Diego police, but was informed they couldn’t accept it due to the absence of signs of “foul play or imminent danger.” The detective guided her to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), where she received a similar response.
“As what point does it become indicative of foul play or imminent danger?” Frazier questioned, adding, “Wouldn’t it be better to be safe than sorry?”
Verizon, her son’s cellphone carrier, confirmed that Townsend’s phone was on and fully charged but showed no data usage, calls, or other activities during the week. However, the company explained they couldn’t track his location without a request from the police.
At a height of 5 feet, 10 inches, and weighing around 165 pounds, Townsend wears glasses. His current attire remains unknown.
While he was known to frequent a San Diego Quality Inn near the base, Frazier visited in person and was told he had not checked in recently.
Close family friend Cynthia Diaz Richardson emphasized, “This is unlike him not to report back to duty. Anyone that knows him knows his character and that he is responsible and would NEVER just go missing without any word or without anyone knowing where he is at.”
The family is urging anyone with information to contact San Diego police at 619-531-2000.