The Bartow County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a man they say has been missing since Thursday.

Officers say Richard “Blake” Cowart disappeared Thursday morning according to his girlfriend, who said  she hasn’t seen him since they went to sleep about 10 pm last Wednesday April 3rd.

Deputies and other law enforcement personnel searched for Cowart in the area of Hardin Bridge Road in Kingston Thursday night but found no trace of him in the surrounding woods or along the Etowah River. Family members told police Cowart uses recreational drugs and could be having hallucinations since he hadn’t slept for several days before his disappearance. Cowart’s girlfriend said she knew only of him using ‘spice’ or synthetic marijuana. Cowart left his cell phone and jacket at his home.

Anyone with information about Cowart can call the Bartow Sheriff’s Office at 770-382-5050.