Search continues after Memphis Marine goes missing at Missouri military base camp

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – It's now been more than three weeks since a Memphis Marine stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood is missing.

Kavian Elder, 19, was last seen on May 3. Elder was completing the final phase of his training for the United States Marine Corps at Ft. Leonard Wood — a military training facility about 140 miles from St. Louis.

“He chose the Marines, and [I] “I wondered why and he said because he wanted to take on the challenge,” Kavian's mother, Alicia Elder, told ABC24. “Most certainly I felt he was fit to take it on – I don't know what state of mind he was in at that time or what was going on?”

Elder also told ABC24 that she last spoke to her son about his progress in the Marine Corps.

In April of this year, Kavian flew from North Carolina to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he was stationed.

“I have to say, I could never have imagined myself in this position,” Mother Elder said. “It's very tiring. It's a challenge to go to work, meet friends and come home to your siblings without hearing from you and without Kavian.

Elder is now classified as “unauthorized leave,” but the family told us this Memorial Day weekend that they remain hopeful.

“Through prayers and just having faith, I am able to stand up to it every day,” Elder said. “He knows we are here for him and we love him. [I’m] I pray that one day I will have a different story that we found him.”

Those with information on Kavian's whereabouts are asked to contact (573) 596 0696.