Boone, December 19, 2025
Authorities in Boone have issued a Silver Alert for Cameron Ross, a missing man believed to suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Last seen leaving work on December 19, 2025, he is considered at high risk. The Boone Police Department is urging anyone with information to come forward as they search urgently for his whereabouts. The Silver Alert system aims to safeguard vulnerable adults like Ross, ensuring swift public response to aid in their safe recovery.
Boone Faces Urgent Search for Missing Man Under Silver Alert
Boone – A Silver Alert has been activated for Cameron Ross, a man reported missing and believed to be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s. Ross was last observed leaving his workplace in Boone on Friday, December 19, 2025. Authorities are urgently seeking public assistance to locate him. The Boone Police Department is investigating the disappearance and asks anyone with information to come forward.
The activation of a Silver Alert underscores the critical nature of Ross’s disappearance, given his cognitive impairment. These alerts are specifically designed to facilitate the rapid location of endangered missing adults who may be disoriented or unable to care for themselves. When individuals with such conditions go missing, their vulnerability to harm significantly increases, making swift action imperative.
Details of Disappearance and Public Appeal
Cameron Ross was last seen on December 19, 2025, departing his job in Boone. Specific details regarding his attire at the time of his disappearance or a more precise last known location have not been publicly disclosed. Due to the belief that he has dementia or Alzheimer’s, there is heightened concern for his safety and well-being.
The Boone Police Department is encouraging anyone who may have seen Cameron Ross or has any information regarding his whereabouts to contact them immediately. The direct line to the Boone Police Department is 828-264-3761. Every piece of information, no matter how small it may seem, could be vital in helping authorities locate him safely.
Understanding the North Carolina Silver Alert System (State-level)
The North Carolina Silver Alert System is a statewide initiative established to aid in the recovery of missing persons who are believed to be suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairment. This system ensures the swift distribution of descriptive information across North Carolina to solicit public vigilance and assistance.
The primary purpose of a Silver Alert is to protect vulnerable adults from potential abuse, physical harm, neglect, or exploitation, which they may be susceptible to due to their impaired intellectual faculties. The program recognizes that individuals with cognitive impairments often become confused and disoriented, necessitating prompt location and safe return to their caregivers.
Activation Criteria and Process (State-level)
For a Silver Alert to be activated in North Carolina, several statutory criteria must be met:
- The missing person must be an adult.
- There must be a belief that the person is suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairment that leads to an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties, rendering them unable to meet their own needs or seek help without assistance.
- While often applied to adults 65 years of age or older, the core criterion focuses on the cognitive impairment.
- The individual must have been reported missing to a law enforcement agency within 72 hours.
Only a local law enforcement agency can request the activation of a Silver Alert, and only the N.C. Center for Missing Persons has the authority to officially activate it. Once activated, the Center works in cooperation with local and state law enforcement, voluntary participating radio and television broadcasters, and the N.C. Department of Transportation to disseminate the information.
The system carefully manages sensitive information; specific health details about the missing person are not made public through the alert to protect individual privacy and comply with federal law. Instead, alerts indicate that the person is believed to be suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairments.
How the Public Can Assist (State-level)
The success of the Silver Alert program relies heavily on public cooperation. Citizens are encouraged to be attentive to the descriptions provided in active alerts. If an individual believes they have sighted a missing person matching an active Silver Alert description, they should immediately contact local law enforcement. It is crucial not to approach the missing person directly but to provide authorities with accurate and timely information. This collaborative effort among law enforcement and the public is essential in increasing the chances of a safe recovery for endangered missing adults across North Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Silver Alert?
- A Silver Alert is a statewide system in North Carolina for the rapid dissemination of information regarding a missing person who is believed to be suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairment.
- Who is the missing man in Boone?
- The missing man in Boone for whom a Silver Alert has been issued is Cameron Ross.
- What is Cameron Ross believed to be suffering from?
- Cameron Ross is believed to be suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.
- When and where was Cameron Ross last seen?
- Cameron Ross was last seen leaving his job in Boone on Friday, December 19, 2025.
- Who should be contacted with information about Cameron Ross?
- Anyone with information on Cameron Ross’s location is asked to call the Boone Police Department at 828-264-3761.
- What are the primary criteria for activating a Silver Alert in North Carolina?
- In North Carolina, the primary criteria for activating a Silver Alert are that the person is an adult, is believed to be suffering from dementia or other cognitive impairment that makes them unable to meet their own needs, and has been reported missing to law enforcement within 72 hours.
- Who activates Silver Alerts in North Carolina?
- Only the N.C. Center for Missing Persons can activate a Silver Alert, at the request of an investigating local law enforcement agency.
Key Details of the Boone Silver Alert
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Missing Person’s Name | Cameron Ross | Local |
| Last Seen Date | Friday, December 19, 2025 | Local |
| Last Seen Location | Leaving his job in Boone | Local |
| Believed Condition | Dementia or Alzheimer’s | Local |
| Contact Information | Boone Police Department: 828-264-3761 | Local |
| Alert System | North Carolina Silver Alert System | State-level |
| Activating Authority | N.C. Center for Missing Persons (at local law enforcement request) | State-level |
| Purpose of Silver Alert | Rapid dissemination of information for missing persons with cognitive impairment | State-level |
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