A Georgia family is desperately searching for answers after 20-year-old Derek Samuel disappeared nearly a month ago after leaving a Target store in East Point.
Derek Samuel was last seen on April 29 at the Target located in Camp Creek Marketplace near Marketplace Boulevard.
According to East Point Police and family members, surveillance footage captured Derek walking out of the store and heading toward North Commerce Drive and Redwine Road before he seemingly vanished.
His disappearance has sparked growing concern throughout the community as loved ones continue searching for clues about what happened that day.
Family members said Derek had gone to the store with two friends. At some point, the group separated, and Derek reportedly planned to meet someone in the area afterward. Since then, no one has heard from him.
His mother, Nishae Samuel, said the silence immediately raised alarms because Derek regularly communicated with his twin sister. She described the siblings as extremely close and said it was unusual for him to suddenly stop answering calls or messages.
The family filed a missing person report with East Point Police the following day after realizing something was wrong.
Police reviewed surveillance footage from the shopping center and said Derek did not appear distressed while leaving the store. Investigators noted he appeared calm and was walking normally.
Authorities later tracked the last signal from Derek’s cellphone to a wooded area near the 3700 block of Redwine Road.
East Point Police used drones and K9 teams to search the area, while family members and volunteers also searched nearby woods, but no evidence connected to Derek was discovered.
Investigators said they still do not know whether Derek left the area voluntarily or if someone may have taken him away. Police also said it remains unclear who turned off the phone after its final signal.
Reward Offered as Search Efforts Continue
As concern continues to grow, Derek Samuel’s family is now offering a $5,000 reward for information that could help locate him or determine what happened.
Relatives say they are struggling emotionally as the days pass without answers. Derek’s aunt, Tameeka Ford Baker, said the family simply wants closure and hopes someone in the community may know something important.
Search efforts are expected to continue as family members urge businesses and residents near Camp Creek Marketplace to review surveillance footage from April 29. They hope additional video may reveal where Derek went after leaving the Target.
Police confirmed that the East Point Police Department remains the primary agency handling the investigation at this time.
Derek Samuel is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 127 pounds. He was reportedly last seen wearing either a black hoodie with black sweatpants or gray and black basketball shorts with a black long-sleeve shirt.
Anyone with information about Derek Samuel’s whereabouts is urged to contact the East Point Police Department at 404-765-1142 and reference case number 26 004791.
