FUSSA, Tokyo — The U.S. Department of Defense is investigating the disappearance of a Trumbull County man who had been working for them as a substitute teacher in Japan up until last November.
Trevor Balint, of Hubbard, was reported missing from Yakota Air Base back on Feb. 1. U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan has called the developments "deeply disturbing" and contacted base commander Colonel Andrew Campbell to discuss the situation. In a statement released Tuesday, the congressman called their conversation "productive."
"I will do everything in my power to help expedite this investigation and hopefully bring a positive resolution to this difficult situation," Ryan wrote, in part. "Colonel Campbell assured me that the United States military and Japanese authorities are doing everything in their power to find answers and bring an end to this nightmare for the Balint family."
According to the military newspaper Stars and Stripes, the 34-year-old Balint was employed as a DOD Education Activity sub until he voluntarily resigned on Nov. 18. He and his wife Britni, an Brookfield native who also works for the department, spent the evening of Jan. 31 inside their on-base apartment before he went out to look for a neighbor's lost cat. She last saw him at 1:30 a.m. the next morning, and after work that day his clothes and other personal belongings (including an apparently reset cellphone) were discovered at a vacant home.
"I do not believe he would just jet off to get away or anything of the sort," Britni told the publication, adding she has been posting flyers with his picture around the area for the last week. "He is a very smart person and would know that others are looking for him and are worried."
So far, officials have not found any new leads, according to Stars and Stripes.
