Parents of missing teenager Jed Hall: ‘Please come home’
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IDAHO FALLS — The parents of a teenager who vanished two months ago are making an emotional plea for their son to come home.
Matthew Jedediah “Jed” Hall walked out of his house in Idaho Falls on the morning of Jan. 22, got into his car and hasn’t been seen since. The 16-year-old, described as the “perfect kid,” was driving a silver 2009 Nissan Versa hatchback with Idaho license plate number 8B EF732.
“There are no updates whatsoever,” Allen Hall, Jed’s father, told EastIdahoNews.com during an interview with his wife, Amy, at the Idaho Falls Police Department on Friday. “The only thing we know for sure is he hasn’t interacted with police or law enforcement. He’s lying low enough that we’re not hearing from him.”
Jed had his cell phone with him, and investigators have pinged it every 15 minutes since he vanished but there have been no responses, said Idaho Falls Police Spokeswoman Holly Cook. He left with a small duffle bag and a firearm but was not carrying bank or credit cards.
Amy Hall describes the situation as “crappy” and says the past nine weeks have been the hardest of her life. But their family has been touched by the support of the Idaho Falls Police Department, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers and the community.
“It makes me cry. It’s wonderful to know that a lot of people care about him, and I wish he realized that,” Amy says, choking back tears.
Jed was a straight-A student who helped tutor other kids at school. He loved participating in the Idaho Wing Civil Air Patrol and was working his way through the ranks.
“When he was younger and would go to other kids’ houses, the parents wanted him to come back because he was such a good example,” Allen recalls.
The Halls have no idea where Jed could be “or we would be there getting him.” While they loved to camp as a family, his parents don’t believe their son is in the mountains or wilderness because he didn’t take proper gear to withstand cold temperatures.
“All the time you are thinking about him – trying to figure it out and find that one clue that’s going to lead you to where he’s at, where he went and who he might be with,” Allen says.
Police ask the public to continue to share Jed’s photograph on social media. A Facebook group called Missing – Jed Hall has been created with pictures and information about the teenager.
If you spot the teen or vehicle, officials say to immediately call the Idaho Falls Police Department at (208) 529-1200.
Jed’s parents hope he sees this story and have one message for him.
“Come home. I’m not mad,” Allen says. “Please come home.”