Local

Family worries about well-being of Lincolnton man who disappeared without a trace

Lincolnton, N.C. — There has been no trace of William Merrick Carter, a Lincoln County man who has been missing since Sept. 21.

He was last seen walking along North Aspen Street in Lincolnton near his home on Mauney Drive.

“I’ve shut down my life in pursuit of locating my brother,” said Eddie Sumlin, Carter’s brother.

Sumlin has now moved from Charlotte to his family’s home in Lincolnton, hoping to be there if his brother finds his way home.

His family told Channel 9 that Carter has left home before, but never for this long and usually keeps in contact with his girlfriend.

Carter has a disability and needs his medication, police said. He does not have a working cellphone, vehicle or relatives who live in the area.

Carter is 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has a thin build, short black hair with a short beard, brown eyes and a tattoo on his upper left arm/shoulder of “Chip Mellow.”

Authorities said no foul play is suspected.

“I will stay as long as I need to stay, as long as my brother is located,” Sumlin said.

Carter didn’t return from dinner that night and hasn’t called his family or girlfriend.

“This is not him, not him at all,” Sumlin said.

Lincolnton police said his bank account hasn’t been used. Carter also doesn’t have a car.

The police are concerned as the search for Carter continues.

“We are definitely concerned, and we are worried,” said Sgt. William Siebenhaar, with the Lincolnton Police Department.

Police conducted a massive search last week around Carter’s home. They used a drone and a team on the ground to search a creek nearby.

Search crews did not find any clues of Carter’s whereabouts.

Police have scoured hours of video from surveillance cameras in his apartment complex.

“We are having trouble finding clues and leads to where he may be,” Siebenhaar said.

They searched his home several times and said there is no evidence of a homicide.

However, his family continues to worry.

“Our first concern is his safety and health, period,” Sumlin said.

Police said they have gone to all of the places Carter normally visits and passed out flyers.

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Twyshay Patterson, a friend of Carter’s, is also worried for his safety.

“I hope that he can be saved, maybe he can be somewhere and is disoriented and can’t find his way back. That’s the hope that I have,” Patterson said shortly after Carter’s disappearance.

Check back here for updates.

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