JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville family is asking for the public’s help in finding a 28-year-old man who has been missing for nearly a week, saying his disappearance is out of character and deeply concerning.
Jo’el Williams was last seen Sunday, April 12, around 8 p.m., leaving his sister’s home in a gray 2010 Toyota Camry, according to his family.
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Since then, his family says there has been no communication — something they describe as completely out of character.
“It’s indescribable,” his father, Jeffrey Williams, said. “I’ve never gone a day without talking to my son.”
Family members describe Jo’el as active, spontaneous and adventurous — someone who loved his family and stayed in constant contact.
“He likes to dance. He love his family and he likes capturing the moments. He’s inspiring,” his sisters, Courtney and Brianna Williams describes.
Courtney Williams said she was the last person to see him in person earlier that day, around 4 p.m., when he was helping with groceries and spending time at home.
“He was laughing, everything seemed normal,” she said.
Jeffrey Williams said he last spoke with his son later that night, around 9:30 p.m., and noticed something unusual.
“As a father, you know your son’s voice,” he said. “He was just talking, but I could hear a little worry… and I told him to go home son.”
Concern grew quickly the next day when calls and messages went unanswered.
“Jo’el normally texts me twice a day and calls me at least three times,” his father said. ““I didn’t get a respond. So I called his sister or brother. Matter of fact I called Brianna and told her, track your brother to see where he at. She said she couldn’t pick him up so I talked to my other son and he said he couldn’t pick him up and I talked to Courtney, and she couldn’t pick him up. So I got real concerned.”
The family says the days since have been filled with anxiety and uncertainty.
“I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep,” Jeffrey Williams said. “It’s just pain not hearing from your son who you talk to every day.”
The family has filed a missing person report and been in contact with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
“There’s no active search for Joe,” a family member explained. “JSO says that he doesn’t fit the criteria. The criteria being elderly, a child or diagnosed with mental health. The only information we have is that the car that he was in was last picked up on a camera on I-95 and Airport Rd going Northbound.”
The family says they have asked investigators about obtaining bank and phone records that could provide clues to his whereabouts but have not received clear answers on next steps.
“We just need help,” Courtney said. “Time is ticking. We don’t know where he is — he could be hurt.”
Beyond the investigation, the emotional toll has been heavy for the family, who say they are still grieving the loss of their mother in 2024.
“This feeling is familiar, and it’s not a good one,” Courtney Williams said. “We all are feeling it… we just want our brother home.”
They are now asking the community to help.
“Please, if you know something, say something,” Jeffery Williams said. “If you feel you’ve seen him, give us a call. If you feel you’ve seen the car, give us a call. We have the tag number and everything on the flyer where you can just jot it down, whatever. We just need to know something.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.