'Suffered long enough': Family seeks closure in Brunswick County missing persons' case

At 9 a.m. on Feb. 26, 2021, 70-year-old Artis Russell Bryant of Northwest stepped back into the familiarity of his home. After a fleeting encounter with his sister-in-law, Bryant was never seen again.

Prior to his disappearance, Bryant visited Riegelwood Credit Union with his brother at 8 a.m. Then they stopped at a local gas station to buy cigarettes, a lighter, and ice cream.

After returning home, Bryant's sister-in-law saw him pass by her room in their shared residence. She went to prepare breakfast and then discovered Bryant was missing.

Family and friends of Bryant searched another family residence a short distance down the road and the Mobile Store on U.S. 74/76 with no success in locating him.

Now, nearly three years later, the Northwest Police Department and Community United Effort (CUE) Center for Missing Persons is offering a $10,000 cash reward for anyone able to provide information that leads to the direct location and recovery of Bryant.

"We owe it to the family and friends of Mr. Bryant," said Lt. David Everett of the Northwest Police Department.

Everett said that Bryant was experiencing the possible onset of dementia at the time of his disappearance.

"This is what I would classify as an active cold case," Everett said, adding that authorities currently have no further details regarding Bryant's disappearance.

Brunswick County Sheriff Brian Chism said the extensive missing persons investigation conducted in the days following Bryant's disappearance included use of helicopters, law enforcement K-9's, and search and rescue teams, but provided no leads in the case.

Monica Caison, founder of CUE Center for Missing Persons, provided insight into the decision to offer a cash reward.

"We're honored to partner in this venture, and I know rewards work," Caison said. "It would be great if [information] could come before the holidays because this family has suffered long enough."

Bryant's eldest son Artis Hill said that aside from dementia and potential hypertension, he was unaware of any other medical conditions Bryant was dealing with at the time of his disappearance.

Hill said his father had "a very good disposition about himself" and "was not confrontational."

Speaking on behalf of his siblings and himself, Hill said that his "family definitely wants closure." He compared the investigation to a puzzle, saying "the outside boundary pieces are connected, but [we still need to find] the missing pieces."

Just one day following Hill's retirement from over 20 years in law enforcement, Bryant went missing. Hill said his wife's family has also previously faced a missing persons case for one of her relatives.

Bryant's missing person flier describes him as an African American male, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, 120 lbs., with brown eyes and gray hair. He was last seen wearing glasses, a black hat, black jacket and black jeans.

The cash reward for Bryant's recovery will remain active until June 2024.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Everett at 910-540-8914 or go to the tip link on the city of Northwest's website. Callers can also contact CUE's 24 hour tip line at 910-232-1687 or visit Bryant's profile on the center's webpage. All information submitted will remain confidential, according to authorities.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Reward offered in case of missing Brunswick County man