The Selma Times-Journal

Investigators are unsure where Eric Dewayne Blevins was last seen when he was reported missing on July 23.

Eric went missing on or around July 23, according to police reports.

Since then, his family has been unsure of his whereabouts and his father, Sheriff’s Department Lt. Dwight Woods, is afraid the Orrville man is dead.

Little is known about what Eric did that Friday and Saturday morning, but investigators say they are still working hard on the case.

Eric was staying with his cousin Dorothy Blevins at her Lamar Avenue home, according to Woods.

Although the 23-year-old’s permanent residence was his mother’s home, Blevins was known to stay with his cousin on the weekends to meet friends and go out.

At some point, officials still aren’t sure about the exact time he left his cousin’s house.

The Times-Journal was unable to contact Dorothy Blevins as of presstime.

Allison said investigators believe he may have visited his cousin John Dale Blevins at the Traveler’s Inn on Highland Avenue after leaving Dorothy Blevins’ home.

Allison said he left there to visit friends at Merrimac Apartments, traveling on foot.

Allison said he was wearing a blue jersey, black pants and brown house shoes.

Woods said his son had at least two friends in Merrimac, a &8220;friend-girl&8221; and a friend.

Woods doesn’t know either of them.

Allison didn’t name either of Eric’s friends or the witness who saw him in Merrimac.

If the witness did see Eric, he may be the last person to see him before he disappeared.

Allison said one of the problems in the investigation is establishing a timeline in Eric’s disappearance.

Because neither John Dale nor Dorothy Blevins are sure about the times they saw Eric, Allison said he isn’t sure which one was the last to have contact with him.

Allison agreed.

None of his family members, however, believe Eric had any reason to hide out.

She said Eric was well liked by almost everyone who met him.

She also said she couldn’t imagine anyone being upset with him.

Woods has said it’s getting hard to stay hopeful about the case.

In his 23 years with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department he only knew of a few missing persons cases where victims were missing for more than two months, Woods said in an earlier interview. In all of those cases, Woods said the victim was almost always dead.

Still, he’d like to know.

While Allison said his office is waiting for information, he said investigators are working the case aggressively.

Allison asks that anyone who has seen the young man call the Secret Witness Line at 874-2190 or they can call Woods at home at 334-996-8787. Eric Dewayne Blevins is a black male, 5’8&8221;, 140 lbs., brown eyes, black hair and a medium complexion. He was wearing a blue jersey, black pants and brown house shoes when he disappeared.

A reward of $6,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest or conviction in the case.