Missing Person Michael Bryson

 On August 5th, I heard the news. I thought, like many probably did, that he would turn up soon. He is just partying with friends, right? That assumption was so wrong. 

Days went by without a trace of Michael Bryson.  Family and friends came out to help with the ground search at Camp Hobo and surrounding areas but to no avail. Michael’s parents were devastated, his family was devastated, and his true friends were devastated. As Tina put it “This is a parent’s worst nightmare!”.  Four months into this nightmare, there is still no trace of their beloved son, Michael.  

On August 19th, family and friends held a Circle of Hope at the gazebo in Harrisburg, a place well known by locals as a place to gather to celebrate all kinds of things. While this was not a celebration, it was a significant event for all who knew and loved Michael and his family. The tears, the pain and the devastation were written all over the faces of those who came, especially those closest to Michael. But there was something else present that day. There was love, there was togetherness and there was hope. The community came together that day and turned the search for Michael Bryson into a worldwide story of hope, love and understanding.  When we walked away from that night, there were tears but there was hope that something good was going to happen and Michael would be found. This event proved to be the launching point for what we now call “Michael’s Army” and ultimately this website.

SAR’s and Law Enforcement have done what they could. Thousands helped with the search, thousands are praying, and thousands have reached out but the pain and emptiness persist. So, what do we do now? How do we move forward? What information do we listen to? What information is true? Which person is really a witness? Which person is really a friend? Which lead is the right direction? Which person can help the most? Do we need the Sheriff, the detectives, the PIs or the help from a stranger? The questions are endless.

In the search for answers, what we have found is a world of drug and alcohol addiction and mental health problems.  Does this change your commitment to this story? Does it matter that drugs were involved? Does learning that change your opinion of our need to find out what happened to Michael? One thing is clear, something happened to Michael that night. He did not just vanish into thin air.  Michael doesn’t deserve this and his family doesn’t deserve to go through the agony of not knowing what happened to him. 

As we move forward in our search for Michael, I can tell you this. Michael’s Army is relentless. His Army will not stop until the truth is found. We will ignore the speculations and theories being spread by those who do not have the family’s best interest at heart. We hope that you will join us in this mission. We are all in this together. We will stand with each other while we find the answers. The truth will come out and we will bring Michael home!