The search continues for an Anniston man missing four months and police now say his disappearance was “involuntary.”

Deangelo “Dee” Shaquill Lepaul Allen, 31, was last seen Sept. 21 in the area of Old Coldwater Road in Anniston.

Family members told authorities it’s unlike Allen, a father, to disappear and not contact them.

Friends and family have been out physically searching for Allen. They have started a Facebook page which has nearly 4,000 members dedicated to Allen’s disappearance, and also launched a GoFundMe to help in their efforts.

“Our family is in desperate need of answers regarding his disappearance,’’ his parents, Adisa Pruitt and Derene Allen, previously wrote in the GoFundMe. “We’re pleading for the broader public’s help with information to assist the police in their investigation.”

Anniston Police Chief Nick Bowles on Wednesday said his investigators and the family have reestablished regular lines of communication as well as other information exchanges as they come up.

“Make no mistake, our investigators, crime lab, and MCU have been working diligently on this case and continue to do so,’’ Bowles posted on Facebook.

“The fact remains, and the focus should always be that DeAngelo is still missing,’’ the chief wrote.

“While facts and evidence that we have at this time must remain confidential, I will state that DeAngelo’s disappearance was involuntary and we believe multiple people are involved,’’ he said.

Allen is described as a Black male who is 6-feet, 1-inches tall and weighs between 175 and 205 pounds. He has brown eyes and multiple tattoos.

Anyone with information on Allen’s whereabouts is asked to call the Anniston Police Department at 256-240-4000 or 911.