MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It’s now been more than three weeks since a Memphis Marine stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood went missing.
Kavian Elder, 19, was last seen on May 3. Elder was completing the last phase of his training for the U.S. Marine Corps at Ft. Leonard Wood — a military training installation about 140 miles from St. Louis.
“He chose the Marines, and [I] asked why and he said cause he wanted the challenge," Kavian's mother, Alicia Elder, told ABC24. "Most definitely, I felt like he was fit for it — I don’t know what mind frame he was in at that time or what was going on?”
Elder also told ABC24 she last talked to her son about his progress through the Marine Corps.
In April of this year, Kavian flew from North Carolina to Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri where he was stationed.
“I must say, I never could ever imagine myself being in this position," mother Elder said. "It’s very tiresome. It’s challenging to also go to work and go around friends and come home to his siblings as well and having no new news and not having Kavian.”
Elder is now categorized as on "unauthorized leave," but the family telling us on this Memorial Day weekend they are still hopeful.
"Through prayers and just me having faith, I’m able to withstand it every day," Elder said. "He knows that we’re here for him and we love him. [I'm] praying one day that I have a different story that we found him."
Those who have any information on Kavian's whereabouts are asked to contact (573) 596 0696.