College grad's disappearance baffles, worries family, friends

A college graduate's baffling disappearance last week has prompted friends and family members to gather in her Virginia hometown to track her down.

Denise Martin, 22, a graduate of Longwood University in Farmville, Va., had recently moved back to her parents' home in Virginia Beach, the Virginian-Pilot reported.

Her father was the last person to interact with her before leaving for work June 19, Hampton/Norfolk's WVEC-TV reported, citing information from Martin's college roommate, Miriam Loya.

By 9:30 a.m., Martin’s brother found her phone, keys, wallet and ID, but she wasn’t at the house. Her brother and father searched around on their own before filing a missing-person report with Virginia Beach police.

Police said they've discovered no evidence of foul play.

Martin’s friends and extended family members – many of whom are from out of state – have used social media, a boat, a helicopter, a trained dog, two planes, and multiple volunteers, to aid their search, WVEC reported.

Those who were close to Martin said there were no clues or signs leading up to her disappearance, but said their concern grows with every passing day.

"It’s a very stressful situation. We all feel very helpless right now – it’s the most helpless we’ve ever felt."

— Henry Smalley, high school friend of Denise Martin

“It’s a very stressful situation. We all feel very helpless right now – it’s the most helpless we’ve ever felt,” said Henry Smalley, one of Martin’s high school friends.

Martin’s boyfriend, Jordan Stroud, who lives in Ohio, said he spoke with her until 1 a.m. the night before she disappeared. He said Martin was planning to visit him soon.

“It was just a conversation that we normally would have. She gave no indication of wanting to disappear or run away,” said Stroud, who drove 9 hours to help with the search.

Loya has created the Facebook group, #BringDeniseHome, to coordinate information with her family and friends.