Seven Years Later: Family to Hold Balloon Release Saturday for Missing Coastal Carolina Graduate
Brandon Rodrigues Graves
SUMTER, S.C. (WOLO) – Nearly seven years after Brandon Graves went missing, family members are not giving up hope that their loved one is still alive.
Graves’ family, friends and members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated will participate in a balloon release Saturday in honor of the 2008 Coastal Carolina graduate, who went missing January 30, 2010. With family members expected to speak close to the anniversary date, the event will be held at Center Stage (formerly Sebastian’s Night Club) located at 3289 Broad Street at 10 a.m.
Graves was last seen at a Morris College homecoming party at the event’s location and his family is hoping someone will remember any clues that would bring “resolution and closer,” Vassie Lloyd said.
Lloyd, Graves’ oldest sister, is coordinating the event.
“Our family is trying to raise awareness about his case, not only his case, but other missing people in the State of South Carolina and around the world,” Lloyd said. “Our family is relying on God and trusting the he has the final say so.”
Through their pain, Lloyd said her family has managed to channel their grief by establishing a scholarship.
“For three years, we’ve been able to award a deserving student with a $1,000 education scholarship in Peanut’s honor,” Lloyd said.
Graves, earned the nicknamed “Peanut” because of his small stature.
For more information on the Brandon Peanut Graves Scholarship visit the Wise Education Foundation Facebook page or by emailing wefoundationllc@gmail.com.
Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Ken Bell said the case remains as an active missing person case.
Anyone with information of Grave’s disappearance is asked to contact the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at 803-436-2000 or contact CRIMESTOPPERS in any of the following ways: call 888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372), text to CRIMES (274637), and mark the beginning of the message with “TIPSC,” followed by the tip information or go to: www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the “Submit a tip” tab.
Connect with the writer:
