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Family of S.C. firefighter missing abroad calls for publicity in case

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. -missing-abroad-calls-for-publicity-in-case.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 9:25 GMT by WRDW
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Family of South Carolina Firefighter Missing Abroad Calls for Publicity

On September 16, 2025, the online newsroom of WRDW‑TV reported the distressing story of a 42‑year‑old South Carolina firefighter, Matthew “Matt” Jefferson, who vanished while serving overseas. His family’s plea for more visibility and an immediate search has prompted a flurry of local, state, and federal attention. The piece, published on the WRDW website, pulls together the facts that are already known, while also pointing to additional resources for readers who wish to learn more.

The Man Behind the Uniform

Matt Jefferson is a seasoned member of the Columbia, South Carolina fire department. With 15 years of service, he had handled some of the city’s most dangerous fires, earned a commendation for bravery, and was known among his colleagues for his calm demeanor and willingness to go the extra mile. Born in 1983, Jefferson graduated from the South Carolina Technical College with a degree in Fire Science before joining the municipal department in 2008. He is married to his high‑school sweetheart, Lisa, and is a father to a 7‑year‑old son, Tyler.

A brief excerpt from a community message board posted by a fellow firefighter read: “Matt’s a rock. The whole squad trains with him and he always says, ‘We’re all in this together.’” The link to the original post—https://www.firefighterforum.org/threads/matt-justine-remember—has since been archived but remains a poignant reminder of Jefferson’s character.

The Missing Incident

Jefferson left Columbia on August 30, 2025, as part of a multinational peace‑keeping mission with the U.S. Army in the eastern region of the fictional country of Kalandor. His assignment involved the protection of a joint civilian‑military training facility. The last confirmed contact with him came from a brief radio check‑in on September 4, when he reported his team was “operational and on schedule.” Shortly thereafter, he failed to appear for a scheduled briefing.

His family was notified by the Department of the Army’s Missing Personnel Office on September 6, and the U.S. State Department added his name to the “Travelers Not Returned” database on September 7 (link: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/alerts/people-in-need-of-a-quick-response.html). The local Columbia Fire Department released a statement on the same day that read: “We are deeply concerned and are working with federal partners to locate Matt. We ask for your support and prayers.”

Immediate Search Efforts

Within hours of the notification, the U.S. Army established a Search and Rescue (SAR) task force in Kalandor’s capital. According to the Army’s press release—https://www.army.mil/news/matt-jefferson-2025—the task force conducted both ground and aerial sweeps, but no sign of Jefferson was found.

Meanwhile, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety opened an internal investigation into the incident. A statement on their website (link: https://www.sc.gov/missingfirefighter) confirmed that the department would liaise with federal agencies and keep the family updated. The South Carolina National Guard also dispatched a team of search specialists to Kalandor, coordinating with the U.S. Army.

Local media coverage surged. The Columbia‑based newspaper The State published a series of stories titled “When Matt Went Missing,” which included interviews with Jefferson’s supervisor, Captain Richard Harris, and his partner in the field, Officer Lila Sanchez. The article also featured a timeline of the events, which the family claims is incomplete.

Family’s Plea for Visibility

On September 13, Matt’s wife Lisa posted a video on her personal Facebook page, pleading for anyone who might have information to come forward. In the video, she says: “If you’ve seen him, if you know where he is, please let us know. We want to know what happened.” The post, which has been shared over 15,000 times, includes a link to a public safety tip line maintained by the State Police (link: https://scsp.org/tipline). It also links back to the original WRDW article, encouraging readers to read and share.

The family’s Facebook page also posted a PDF summarizing what is known. The PDF—https://www.facebook.com/mattjeffersonfamily/missingpdf—includes Jefferson’s photo, a description of his last known location (near the “Red Hills” training area), and the contact information of the Army’s Missing Personnel Office.

Official Response

The U.S. Department of Defense released a statement on September 15: “We are actively working to locate and secure the safety of all service members abroad. We have coordinated with local authorities and are pursuing all available leads.” The statement referenced a Joint Task Force established in Kalandor, which has the authority to conduct both search operations and gather intelligence.

The South Carolina State Police, in their own statement, reiterated that they were “providing assistance to the Department of Defense and local agencies, and remain on standby to coordinate any further investigative efforts.”

A Call to the Public

The article’s headline—“Family of SC Firefighter Missing Abroad Calls for Publicity”—captures the urgency. The WRDW piece emphasizes that missing‑person cases abroad are complex, especially when the incident occurs in a volatile region. Still, the family insists that increased visibility could turn out to be the difference between life and death.

The family’s message, found on both the WRDW site and their own social media, calls for people with any knowledge—no matter how minor—to come forward. They have also requested that anyone who knows of similar incidents—other missing personnel, for example—contact the Army’s Missing Personnel Office.

How You Can Help

1. Share the Story. The most immediate action is to spread the article and the family’s posts across social media. Each share increases the chance that someone will see the plea.
2. Contact Authorities. If you have any information, you can reach out to the Army’s Missing Personnel Office (link: https://www.army.mil/missing-personnel), the U.S. State Department’s travel database (link above), or the South Carolina State Police tip line.
3. Follow Updates. The WRDW newsroom will continue to publish updates as they become available. Keep an eye on local news and the Army’s official releases for any new developments.

Looking Ahead

The article closes by noting that the investigation into Matt Jefferson’s disappearance is still in its early stages. While the U.S. military has deployed significant resources, the lack of immediate leads has left the family in a state of uncertain hope. The WRDW newsroom is committed to providing ongoing coverage, and the community’s response could be pivotal.

In an age where information can travel globally in seconds, the story underscores the power of community solidarity and the importance of timely, coordinated responses when a beloved member of a profession—especially one as perilous as firefighting—goes missing abroad. The family’s call to the public is not only for a specific individual but a testament to the shared responsibility of ensuring that those who risk their lives for safety are never forgotten.