A distraught mum said she "can't think" about the possibility of her son not coming back after he mysteriously vanished following a "worrying" Instagram post.
Curtis Hadley, 24, who also uses the surname 'Pogson' was reported missing by his flatmate in Macclesfield, Greater Manchester at around 11.30am on June 6.
Cops said Curtis' disappearance was "out of character" as they added they are becoming increasingly concerned for his safety.
His mum Nickie told Manchester Evening News that police had shown her CCTV footage of a figure they believe is her son catching a train from Macclesfield station towards Manchester.
Describing her ordeal, she added that Curtis had told her he was struggling in a text message on the morning he vanished.
Nickie said: "I had been in bed because I had stayed up the night before and my niece woke me up as she saw his post on Instagram. I woke up and saw his message, then the police phoned me because his flatmate had reported him missing.
"He has lived in Hyde all his life with me, then moved to Salford with his ex-girlfriend into an apartment. They split up a few months ago and he moved down to Macclesfield with a flatmate. He wanted a fresh start and to move away from all the memories."
Now Curtis is mobile is switched off but his friends have helped search Manchester in an effort to find him.
Nickie said her son, who has Asperger's Syndrome, is popular online within the cosplay community.
She said: "Curtis has Asperger's [Syndrome] and has never really fitted in anywhere.
"But for the first time he felt comfortable with the cosplay community. He goes to Comic Cons and is quite popular with that community online."
Members of that community have been helping to spread the word and sharing posts about his disappearance.
"In my head is he is still going to turn up and contact me. I can't think about that possibly not happening," Nickie added.
"All of his friends are trying their hardest to search for him, but we don't know what else to do but sit and wait."
Cheshire Police have appealed to the public and any witnesses who may have seen Curtis or have any CCTV/Dashcam footage of him since he disappeared.
Inspector Andy Baker said: “We have been conducting a number of enquiries to trace Curtis, so far to no avail, and we are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare.
"This is out of character and we are keen to locate him as soon as possible and reunite him with his friends and family who are worried about him.
“I urge anyone who thinks that they may have seen Curtis since he went missing to get in touch with us. The same goes for anyone with information regarding his whereabouts, or CCTV or dashcam footage of him since he disappeared.”
Anyone with information or footage that may help officers find Curtis is asked to call Cheshire Constabulary immediately on 101, quoting IML 1286543. Information can also be reported online at www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us.
