Friends, family remember missing Aynor man, seek help to find him

The words of “Amazing Grace” floated from beneath the shelter at Aynor Town Park Saturday evening as about 35 family members and friends held a candlelight vigil for Randy Davis, 26, who has been missing since January 21.

Family members and friends expressed frustration about the Horry County Police Department’s handling of the case. His mother, Loretta Davis, said the family knew that Randy was addicted to crack cocaine and heroin and had been in trouble with the law, but they were there for him, they loved him and they want to know what has happened to him.

“I just want to find my son,” said Randy’s father, McLaurin Davis, who saw Randy for the last time when he dropped him off at a home on Marshland Road in the Aynor area that day. “He hung around with them and thought they were his friends,” McLaurin Davis said. “He didn’t just walk off and leave. Something happened.”

Natalie Smith, who was not at the vigil, was one of the last people to see Randy Davis alive. She has been quoted as saying that he ran out of the house in a panic, supposedly after seeing headlights and claiming someone was looking for him.

“There’s somebody out there that knows something, and they need to come forward so we can put it at peace whatever it is,” said Randy’s aunt, Jane Rowell.

McLaurin Davis said Horry County police officers were looking for Randy before he disappeared. His mother said he had missed a court date and was listed as a fugitive.

On Jan. 29, Horry County Police searched the area. Volunteers and family members also searched, and they continue to look for Randy.

Dale Andrews of Conway is one of the volunteers who searched for him. “My heart just goes out to the family,” he said. “I don’t know how it feels to lose a child because I don’t have any, but I know how it feels to lose a life.”

Andrews said the search for Randy Davis took them less than a mile from where Zachary Malinoski’s car was found burned in August of 2013.

Malinoski, 19, has never been found, but Christopher Anfony Brown of Myrtle Beach and Javon Dion Gibbs of Conway have been charged with his kidnapping and murder.

Jennifer Garrett of Murrells Inlet, also a search volunteer, prayed that Randy Davis would see the lights at the vigil and come home to his family.

“What Randy did in his personal life doesn’t affect me or my desire to go search for him. He is somebody’s son, brother, friend and he needs to be found. I’d like to see law enforcement become more active in their search. I’d like to see the community come out and support the family. They need help from law enforcement. They need help from the community.”

No law enforcement officers were present at the vigil. McLaurin Davis said he has heard many rumors and has been told that law enforcement does not care about finding Randy “because he’s just another drug addict” to them. Those things are hard to hear, and are very hurtful, he said.

Although the family knows that the chances of finding Randy Davis alive may be slim, they continue to hope. “I’ve been everywhere I know to go. I’m not giving up hope,” Loretta Davis said.

Kristie Davis, Randy’s younger sister, said she wants her brother home more than anything.

Somewhere along the way, Randy Davis got on the wrong path, his father said. Now, his family just wants to find him and bring him home again, and they are hoping to get more people involved.

“We’re hoping to get some more attention, if that’s what you call it,” said Loretta Davis.

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 10:09 PM with the headline "Friends, family remember missing Aynor man, seek help to find him."