Search For Bridgewater Man Missing In Nevada Continues, Sister Pleas For Help

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — It's been 19 days since U.S. Navy veteran and Bridgewater native Matthew "Matt" Kemper was last seen. His sister Amy is asking the public for help so that he is not forgotten.

"He is a kind person and not dangerous," said Bridgewater resident Amy Kemper.

Kemper, 46, is described as an Asian male, 5-feet-6-inches and 130 pounds with gray hair and brown eyes. He was last seen on Jan. 5 at around 10:50 a.m. near the 11000 block of W. Charleston Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said. Read More: Navy Veteran From NJ Missing For 2 Weeks: Police

"The detective assigned has hundreds of missing persons cases. I need the NJ community, the internet community, Navy veterans, park service employees, animal rescue community to rally for him and network, I have tried to reach NJ senators and politicians with no luck. I contacted the Navy with no luck," said Kemper.

Kemper was adopted from South Korea and previously lived in Bridgewater where he graduated from Immaculata High School in Somerville. He worked at his family's former business Kemper Pontiac Cadillac off Route 22 and Finderne Avenue in the township.

He then served in the U.S. Navy stationed out of Florida. As a veteran, he has been working for the National Parks Service for more than 15 years - first in Utah and now in Arizona for Glen Canyon Parks in Marble Canyon, said Kemper.

Kemper's sister owns a business in Somerset County and his parents still live in Bridgewater.

The last person to see Matt Kemper alive on Jan. 4 said that he was sad and that "nobody would care if he was alive or not," said his sister.

Matt reportedly showed photos of his sister and himself as kids and was nostalgic.

"He said to the person this is my last day. He gave his jacket to the person and insisted they keep it," said Kemper.

Matt Kemper was last reported at the Red Rock Casino, Las Vegas, said Kemper.

"He does not live there. The witness said he was under severe emotional duress. He texted four close friends a goodbye message and then left the hotel," said Kemper.

After receiving the goodbye text messages, two friends called 911 since the messages were "out of character" for Matt.

His coworkers reported his disappearance when Matt did not show up for work.

"He has never not shown up for work," said Kemper.

Matt Kemper's last cellphone ping was 11:08 a.m. in Glendale, Nevada about an hour from Las Vegas on Route 15 North, said Kemper.

There has been no cell activity since.

"If he is still alive, he can be anywhere in the Nevada, Utah or Arizona area. He needs medical attention," said Kemper.

Kemper is asking the public to help find his truck, a 2018 grey 4-door diesel Chevy Colorado truck with Utah plates.

Kemper has reached out to OnStar and Sirius but was told they "can't ping his vehicle due to the year of the truck."

The Las Vegas Metro Missing Persons detectives are in charge of the investigation.

Kemper's family has submitted a subpoena for more information in hopes of getting more clues.

They have also gotten help from Worldwide Trackers Fernando Morreira, who has volunteered his services at no charge.

Red Rock Search and Rescue, a nonprofit has also been looking along with Matt's former coworkers and friends from Utah who have joined the search on foot.

Since his disappearance, Kemper has set up social media pages on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with the handle @findmattkemper and the trending hashtag #findmattkemper in hopes of getting more help.

There is a reward tip line 702-846-3344

"At this point, we do not know if he is hurt or if there is foul play. This is why it is so urgent that we find his truck to narrow the search area," said Kemper.

Anyone with information about Kemper’s whereabouts are urged to contact the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department at 702-828-3111, 702-828-2907 or missingpersons@lvmpd.com.

If you or someone you know is considering harming themselves, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by calling 988. Immediate help is also available in an emergency by dialing 911. Additional mental health and suicide prevention resources are available online.

— With reporting by Nicole Rosenthal

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