TRUMBULL COUNTY, OH - Friends of Nicholas Lee are still searching for him 15 days after his disappearance.

Lee’s family reported him missing to Warren City Police after he missed a Christmas celebration. Friends said they last saw him around Dec. 21 when he appeared to be under the influence. Around that same time other friends said Lee's car was found crashed in the area near Fairview Avenue in Niles.

“This was a beautiful soul, a kind gentleman…I just want you guys to understand and please help,” Joshua Ellis, a friend of Lee’s said. 

A recent picture of Lee can be found in this post.

Ellis said he and Lee texted every morning and night but that all stopped about two weeks ago. He said Lee was actively in recovery for addiction and was coping with the one year anniversary of the loss of his wife.

“Logical thinking brings me and his family and friends to think that he had used, wrecked his vehicle and maybe felt that he was at the end of his road,” Ellis said. 

Ellis does not think his friend is still alive and is now focused on finding his body that he believes is near where his car was found.

He is hoping to get together a search party Saturday Jan. 10 of 50 to 100 people to scour the woods behind Fairview Avenue. He is asking people with ATV’s and ways to get around rough terrain for their help. 

“We can find his body or him by the grace of God and put him to rest with respect and give his family, friends and myself some closure,” Ellis said. 

Anyone wanting to join the search party or with information on Nicholas Lee can contact Ellis by phone at 330-717-8466 by email at JoshuaEllis406@yahoo.com or on Facebook here.

Family members Capri Toney and Cindy Tingler are also asking anyone with information on Lee to reach out to them. Toney can be contacted at 330-531-5683 and Tingler at 330-507-0151.