New Reward Money Offered in Search for Sampson County Boy

Tristan "Buddy" Myers wandered away from his Sampson County home Oct. 5 with his two dogs. The dogs returned, but despite a huge search, Buddy has never been found.

The family of a mother, daughter and exchange student murdered in Yosemite National Park donated $10,000 Wednesday to reward the person who comes forward with information that leads to Buddy's return.

"We're not giving up," says one of Buddy's relatives, John Myers. "We were hoping he'd be home for Thanksgiving. If not, maybe for Christmas."

The Myers family was already offering a $1,000 reward. Investigators hope the larger reward will spur someone to call with information.

"It certainly helps out," says Maj. John Hayes with the Sampson County Sheriff's Office. "Hopefully, it gives somebody incentive to give us the information we need to close this case and find Buddy."

Investigators say that the steady stream of telephone tips in the early days of the case have trailed off to occasional calls.