‘It’s like he vanished’: Family searches for missing 27-year-old last seen in Fells Point

BALTIMORE, MD (WBFF) — They say it’s like he vanished.

On Tuesday, the girlfriend and stepmom of 27-year-old Branson Oduor desperately retraced his last known steps along Thames Street in Fells Point, where he was last seen early Saturday morning.

All afternoon, they put up fliers and walked door to door, asking neighbors and businesses if they had any information that could help find him.

These are efforts they say, they shouldn’t be taking on alone.

“There’s not cops out actively looking like we want,” said Branson’s girlfriend, Emily Costa, “It feels like we’re doing this ourselves.”

“They don’t think it’s urgent,” said his stepmom, Millicent Obongo.

Describing him as kind, gentle, and outgoing, they say Branson was initially out with friends Friday night, when he later went to the ‘Horse You Came In On Saloon’ alone.

“That’s very unusual for him, I’m not sure why he was alone,” said Emily, “March Madness games were going on. So, I think he just really wanted to just enjoy that, and I think just kind of went overboard, maybe a little bit.”

Surveillance video shows Branson leaving the bar around 2 a.m., appearing intoxicated. He stumbles, leaning up against a wall for support. He then speaks briefly with three unknown individuals, before they go their separate ways. After that, there’s nothing.

“I think his phone is dead, or off, or smashed or something,” said Emily.

Emily says no one has heard from him since, and now, claims she’s struggling to hear back from police after filing a missing person’s report on Saturday.

“It feels like they’re not doing enough or fast enough,” she said, “The officer who did the report, he said that like nine times out of ten, missing adults, they come home.”

But days later, no sign of Branson. His loved ones are now urging the public to take a close look at his photo and come forward with any information.

Emilly adds that Branson is an accountant for a commercial real estate developer and had no known reason to disappear.

FOX45 News sent the following questions to Baltimore Police regarding her concerns about the scope and pace of their investigation:

• What steps have been taken so far in the search for Mr. Oduor?
• Has BPD canvassed the Fells Point area for surveillance footage or witnesses? If not, why?
• Are there any updates on his last known movements after leaving the bar?
• How is BPD supporting the family during this time?
• Are there any known circumstances suggesting foul play or risk to public safety?

As of the time this article was published, we have not heard back.