On Thursday, February 22, at 8:45 p.m., the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office distributed the following update. The full text is below.
After hours of following leads and conducting a follow-up investigation, Sheriff's Office investigators were able to track Jonathan Roop to a restaurant in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on the afternoon of February 21st. Roop left the restaurant alone and while under surveillance. Identified by employee. Roop then drove off alone in his car, as seen in his photo below. Local police were alerted and attempted to search for him without success, but continued their search today.
There are many unanswered questions, but based on this personal sighting, it is likely that Roop was acting alone and traveling of his own free will. We appreciate the assistance of law enforcement, businesses, and the public in this investigation.
On Tuesday, February 20, at 3:00 p.m., the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office distributed the following update: The full text is below.
Investigators are continuing to follow all leads regarding Jonathan “Johnny” Roop. However, preliminary investigation indicates he is believed to have left the Montgomery County area on his own Friday afternoon.
Based on information received, it is believed he most likely traveled toward southwestern Virginia or Tennessee.
Investigators had access to surveillance footage from local businesses and financial institutions, and Loop was seen in the Christiansburg area of Montgomery County until about 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Based on interviews with friends and family (in addition to video surveillance), it was noted that Mr. Roop's behavior on Friday was not consistent with his normal pattern of behavior. However, according to the information received, it seems that he was lonely.
We have not received any information that would lead us to believe that he is in immediate danger. However, since Mr. Roop seems to be out of his normal behavior, we want to reach out to him and make sure he is indeed okay.
Original post – February 19, 2024
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is searching for a 20-year-old Virginia Tech student. Johnny Roop was last seen on Friday, February 16, 2024, at his apartment complex on Canyon Ridge Road in the Merrimack area of Montgomery County, Virginia.
At 4:26 p.m. that same day, his cell phone rang near New River Valley Mall. Johnny was heading to his parents' home in Abingdon, Virginia, to take an online exam by 5 p.m., but he never showed up.
He was driving a black 2018 Toyota Camry with Virginia license plate number TXW6643. The car has a Virginia Tech flag sticker on the back window.
If you have any information or have seen the vehicle, please contact us below. Montgomery County Sheriff's Office (540-382-4343).
