SALT LAKE CITY — Where is Robin Putnam?
He was 25 years old when he was last seen in the summer of 2012 in Salt Lake City. His family hopes a documentary about the missing Colorado man will lead to new clues to help find him.
The documentary is part of a new series on the Investigation Discovery network, a cable channel dedicated to crimes, forensic investigations and people who are missing. Robin Putnam's story will air Monday on a new series called "Last Seen Alive."
"When (Investigation Discovery) contacted us last summer, we were thrilled to hear from them," said Robin Putnam’s mother, Cindy Putnam.
Over the past two years, she and her husband, Doug Putnam, have traveled from Telluride, Colorado, to Salt Lake City several times to look for their son. He was last seen getting off an Amtrak train.
"We're not doing well at all," Cindy Putnam said Wednesday. "I wish I could tell you we are. We're just in total survival mode and get through each day."
Debilitating anxiety and panic attacks prompted the decision to bring Robin Putnam home, although Cindy Putnam said in September 2012 she didn't know how severe his possible mental breakdown was.
Before leaving California, her son was having difficulty distinguishing between reality and the nightmares that haunted him, specifically those that his parents had died. Cindy Putnam said perhaps her son believes he is alone.
Robin Putnam was traveling by Amtrak from Oakland, California, to Grand Junction, Colorado, in July 2012. His belongings made it to Colorado, but family members believed he only made it as far as Salt Lake City.
A private investigator tracked Robin Putnam to New York City, where the Investigation Discovery team met with his parents to follow them on their search.
"We just need to see him and know he is alive," his mother said.
"To tell you the truth, I'd rather be dying of cancer than not know where my son is," Doug Putnam said.
His parents say Putnam enjoys painting, drawing and sketching. According to leads from the private investigator, he was also part of the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York City during the fall of 2011.
The Putnams followed the investigator's leads, but Robin Putnam still hasn't been found.
"We've had so many tips, especially early on, from Salt Lake; and that was a case from many young guys who live in Salt Lake City who look like Robin," Cindy Putnam said.
The "Last Seen Alive" program about Robin Putnam will air Monday at 8 p.m. MDT on the Investigation Discovery network, which is different from the Discovery Channel.
Email: acabrero@deseretnews.com