New details in case of missing airman with Cumberland County ties
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Delaware State Police confirm they've recovered the truck belonging to a missing airman, whose family resides in Cumberland County.
Senior Airman Keifer Huhman, 21, was reported missing earlier this week after he didn't report for duty with the 436th Communications Squadron on Monday morning. Huhman has been stationed at Dover Air Base for the past three and half years, and lives in an apartment off Kearsey Court in Dover. He was last seen there between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Huhman's mother, a Hope Mills resident, said her son was supposed to meet friends for a Superbowl party on Sunday, but didn't show.
On Monday, a fellow airman found Huhman's sister on Facebook and messaged her about her brother's absence.
"We knew within 20 minutes that he was not at work," said Darlene Norman, who was burying her grandmother in Connecticut over the weekend. "That's not like him. He's been in the Air Force four years. He loves the Air Force. He has an impeccable record with the Air Force."
Instead of returning home to Cumberland County from Connecticut, Norman headed straight to Dover. On Thursday morning, she took a brief break from the search to speak with ABC11. The sudden disappearance is way out of character for her son, she said.
"Because a mother knows," Norman said. "A mother knows and so instantly you know there's something wrong."
Through a press release sent Thursday, Delaware State Police confirmed the young airman's truck was located and towed from the shoulder of the William V. Roth, Jr. Bridge along the C&D Canal in Kent County, Del.
The discovery was made by authorities on Sunday night at 10 p.m., and an aerial search was conducted. A water search continues with the assistance of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and the truck is being processed for evidence.
DNREC joins the investigation with Delaware State Police and the Dover Air Force Base's Office of Special Investigations. The Air Force initially sent out a press release about Huhman's case, which is not typical of perceived AWOL cases.
Norman said Huhman's father, a decorated, two-time Bronze Star recipient, is an airman stationed in Japan. He was on his way to Dover from overseas to join the family Thursday morning.
The younger Huhman idolizes his father, Norman said.
"He wanted to be just like his Dad, and he loves the Air Force," Norman said. "He bleeds dark blue."
Huhman, who attended Massey Hill and Liberty Christian schools in Fayetteville, split his childhood between his mother in Cumberland County and his father in Florida. The Norman's local friends and Southview Baptist Church members are supporting the family, including his stepfather and younger siblings.
"It's hope against hope right now and we're hoping for a positive outcome," said Dawn Collins, principal of Gallberry Farms Elementary where the family is active in school activities. "[They are] an integral part of our school family. We're just hoping and praying."
Norman's message to her son is simple.
"Baby we're all looking for you. We all love you," she said. "We need to you to contact us. I mean our hearts are broken and we're worried about you and just can't wait to hold you again."
If you have any information on this case, please call the Dover Police Department at (302) 736-7130, or call your local law enforcement agency.
