Samuel Spencer Jr. Missing: Mobile Police Seek 20-Year-Old Last Seen Near Africatown Bridge

MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile Police Department is asking the public to help find Samuel Spencer Jr., a 20-year-old man who has been reported missing. Samuel Spencer Jr. was last seen near the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge late Friday night, Oct. 16, and police say it is important that he be located soon.

Anyone who sees Samuel Spencer Jr. or knows where he may be is asked to call the Mobile Police Department right away at 251-208-7211. If you believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

Samuel Spencer Jr.: Description and Last Known Location

• Name: Samuel Spencer Jr.
• Age: 20
• Height: Approximately 5 feet 8 inches
• Weight: Approximately 110 pounds
• Last seen: Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at approximately 10:10 p.m.
• Location: In the area of the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge in Mobile
• Status: Missing; police say it is important he is found soon
• Contact: Mobile Police Department, 251-208-7211

Police did not release a description of the clothing Spencer was wearing when he was last seen, or information about whether he was on foot or in a vehicle. Anyone who was in the area of the bridge on the night of Oct. 16 and may have seen him is encouraged to contact police, even if the detail seems small.

Where He Was Last Seen

The Cochrane-Africatown Bridge spans the Mobile River north of downtown Mobile, carrying U.S. Highway 90/98 traffic near the historic Africatown community. The bridge and its approaches connect several neighborhoods and roadways on the city’s north side, so someone leaving that area could have headed in a number of directions.

Because Spencer was last seen at about 10:10 p.m., police are especially interested in hearing from people who were driving, walking or working nearby that night. Residents and business owners in the surrounding area may be able to help by checking home security cameras, doorbell cameras or business surveillance systems for footage recorded the evening of Friday, Oct. 16, and sharing anything relevant with investigators.

How You Can Help

When someone is reported missing, the first days are critical. Here is how members of the public can help the search for Samuel Spencer Jr.:

• Call with information: Contact the Mobile Police Department at 251-208-7211 with any sighting or tip. Note the time, location and direction of travel if you see someone matching his description.
• Call 911 for urgent situations: If you see him and believe he needs immediate help, call 911.
• Check cameras: Review doorbell, dash and security camera footage from the area around the Cochrane-Africatown Bridge from the night of Oct. 16.
• Share official information: Share the police department’s description and phone number on social media. Sticking to official details helps prevent confusion.
• Avoid speculation: Rumors and unverified claims can distract from the search and cause added pain for a missing person’s family.

Reporting a Missing Person

A common misconception is that people must wait 24 hours before reporting someone missing. There is no such waiting period. Law enforcement agencies encourage families and friends to report a missing person as soon as they believe someone is missing, particularly when the disappearance is out of character.

For young adults, federal law adds another layer of protection. Under Suzanne’s Law, enacted in 2003, police are required to promptly enter reports of missing people under the age of 21 into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center database, which allows law enforcement agencies across the country to see the report. At 20, Spencer falls within that age range.

Families searching for a loved one can also register the case with NamUs, the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, a free national database funded by the U.S. Department of Justice that helps connect missing person cases with law enforcement, medical examiners and the public.

About the Mobile Police Department

The Mobile Police Department is the largest municipal law enforcement agency in the Mobile area and investigates missing person reports within the city. The department regularly turns to the public for help with missing person cases, and tips from residents frequently play a role in bringing people home safely.

Anyone with information about Samuel Spencer Jr.’s whereabouts should call the Mobile Police Department at 251-208-7211. This story will be updated if police release new information.