Wyatt Weaver got his driver’s license Tuesday. He should have been celebrating by taking a drive to see friends or showing up at school on his own accord.

But Tuesday was not a joyous occasion for the 17 year old because he, along with anyone else, hasn’t seen his oldest sibling in a year.

Sept. 5 marked one year since Robert “Bobby” Weaver III, then 27, was last seen on Hwy. 142 near Stone Road around 7:25 p.m. with his dog, King.

King returned to Bobby Weaver’s grandmother, Evelyn Weaver, four days later with his collar but no leash, which was later found and submitted to evidence.

The Covington News joined in a conference with other local news outlets, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) personnel involved in Weaver’s case over the past year and members of Weaver’s family to discuss any updates and about the man his family “just wants to know what happened to him.”

NCSO Captain Keith Crum said most of the tips they have received have been hearsay, and both NCSO and family members said they want anyone with possible information to call in, no matter how long it has been.

“We need some firsthand information to go forward,” Crum said.

“The last words I heard”

As Wyatt Weaver, Bobby’s and his step-mother and two aunts asked Crum and the other NCSO officers questions on any new information or leads, they also asked the public for help and anyone who knows the truth “for some compassion.”

“I wish somebody would just come forward and tell us where he is,” said Jessica Weaver, Bobby’s step-mother. “We just want to bring him home. It’s hard knowing we have a loved one out there.”

Jessica Weaver and Bobby Weaver’s father, Bob Weaver were still offering a $2,000 reward, which was put on the table in February 2014, for any information leading to their son’s whereabouts or to the responsible party of his disappearance.

“He’s not just a name. He’s got a family. He’s got brothers and sisters and a mother and a father and a child (who was six when Bobby disappeared). Please have some compassion. I know it’s a brave thing to do to come forward when you’re scared, but even if it’s something you may think is irrelevant. You never know what might lead to something else,” said Weaver as she held a framed family photo of her four children when Bobby, the oldest sibling, was 13. Cole is now 19 and Rio, the only sister, is now 27.

In the photo, Bobby was holding a baby Wyatt.

Robin Bement, Jessica Weaver’s sister, said her son and Bobby were born three months apart, which was “like having twins.”

When the two were children, her son used to ensure his upper hand by grabbing a handful of crickets and teasing Bobby, who “had a huge heart but a big fear of bugs.”

She said she was always the one her nephew called when he needed something. He called her on Sept. 5.

“There was something wrong in his voice,” Bement said. “The last words I heard were, ‘Aunt Robin…Aunt Robin.’”
Then his phone died, cut off or was turned off, she said.

“Bobby was home every night at a certain time to talk to his son,” Bement said. “Everyone’s first instinct was that something was wrong.”

Janice Collins Dobbs, also Bobby’s aunt, said the family would fight and have their moments but that no one ever left the house without saying I love you, “even if it was right after a fight.”

“He was a good hearted young man,” Dobbs said. “He loved his son and he loved his family. All we want is some closure and that’s it.”