HONOLULU — A Honolulu teenager who may have run away because of academic pressure is missing for a fourth day, with police and federal agencies still scouring the island and surrounding ocean.
Private investigator Elise Johnson, hired by the parents of missing 16-year-old Noah Montemayor, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that a classmate saw the teen on Mount Tantalus Friday night. She said Montemayor ran away before the classmate could talk to him.
According to Johnson, Montemayor’s family suspects that academic pressure may have pushed him into hiding. The teenager plays the viola with the Punahou Symphony and runs on the varsity cross-country team.
Montemayor was last seen going to bed at home on Tuesday night. He was reported missing Wednesday morning, said police.
That afternoon, the teen’s bag and some belongings, including his cellphone, were found on the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail. Police searched the area with dogs for two days, but found nothing.
The police also asked lifeguards and firefighters to search the ocean.
The Coast Guard joined the search Thursday night and deployed a helicopter and three vessels on Saturday. The agency said it planned to continue the search Sunday with Honolulu firefighters.
On Saturday, the teen’s mother said she was overwhelmed by the people and agencies helping search for her son.
“No matter what he’s done, I love him,” added Michelle Montemayor. “Come home.”
“It’s been pretty hard, but I’m trying to stay hopeful,” said Matthew Alfelor, Montemayor’s cousin, who organized a search on Saturday.
Alfelor said the missing teen is a quiet person who enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors.