Navy sailor disappears in San Diego as family claims disappearance ‘very uncharacteristic’ after mother called to see if he reported back amid investigation

The family of a Navy sailor who mysteriously disappeared claim his disappearance is ‘very uncharacteristic’.

Nija Townsend Jr. was reported missing Monday when he failed to report back to his ship, the USS Germantown, in San Diego after being on weekend leave.

His colleagues contacted his mother, Courtney Frazier, to find out if she was aware of his whereabouts when he did not report back.

Launching a frantic mission to try to locate her son, she rallied loved ones to spread messages throughout the community and turned to investigators for help.

The San Diego Police Department and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) are working together, along with Navy officials to help locate Townsend, who is from Lake Jackson, Texas.

“The health and welfare of our Sailors is a top priority and we will continue to work with local authorities to help locate this service member,” Cdr. Arlo Abrahamson, Public Affairs Officer for Naval Surface Force, US Pacific Fleet, said.

When Frazier learned that her son might be in danger, she reportedly tried to file a police report, but was allegedly told at the time it was too early, and there were indications of “foul play or imminent danger,” but she disagreed. .

“At what point does that become an indication of foul play or imminent danger?” Frazier told Fox News Digital. “Wouldn’t it be better to be safe than sorry?”

She claims investigators’ requests to his phone company to try to ping his location were denied because they did not have the authority to do so.

It is believed the phone is still on with battery.

Frazier also revealed that a lieutenant telling her her son’s failure to show up for his assignments was “very out of character.”

“His lieutenant said no, he hasn’t done this before, it’s very out of character, and he always shows up for work,” she said.

Townsend is believed to have no problems with drugs or mental health.

He is described as being approximately 5ft 10in tall and weighing between 160-170lbs. He also wears glasses.

His loved ones are now pleading with the public to help in their search, with his aunt Cynthia Diaz Richardson helping to spread the word.

‘It is unlike him not to report back to duty. Anyone who knows him knows his character and that he is responsible and will never just go missing without a word or without anyone knowing where he is,” she wrote on Facebook.

“Ask for tons of prayers and support and that you all spread the word to help us find our loved one.”