A quarter-century-long mystery has been resolved in California, as a man who disappeared in 1999 is set to reunite with his family.
The man's sister, who had been searching for him for 25 years, recognized him in a news article, leading to the unraveling of his whereabouts.
As reported by Newsweek, the Lassen County Sheriff's Office received a call from a woman claiming to have information about her long-lost brother. The woman had come across a news article featuring a photograph of an unidentified man, who she believed to be her missing sibling. The Sheriff's Office, respecting the family's privacy, has chosen not to disclose the identities of the individuals involved.
The man had vanished from Doyle in 1999, leaving no trace behind. The news article that sparked the woman's recognition was seeking help in identifying a man admitted to a Los Angeles hospital. Upon receiving the woman's call, Sheriff's Deputy Derek Kennemore reached out to the hospital, only to learn that the man had been transferred to another facility in July. The man, who was non-verbal, had remained unidentified.
The second hospital confirmed that a man matching the description of the missing person was under their care. The Los Angeles Police Department Missing Persons Unit was then called in to fingerprint the man and confirm his identity. The woman was subsequently informed that the man was indeed her long-lost brother.
Captain Mike Carney of the Lassen County Sheriff's Office took to Facebook to commend Deputy Kennemore for his relentless pursuit of the case. He also expressed gratitude to the Los Angeles Police Department for their assistance in identifying the missing man and bringing closure to a case that had remained unresolved for 25 years.
The news article that led to the man's identification was published in May. It reported that the St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood had discovered an unidentified patient in South Los Angeles on April 15. The man, believed to be in his mid-60s, was unable to communicate his name or any other identifying information.
Captain Carney relayed to ABC News that the sister was "super-excited" upon hearing that her brother had been located. "She was very appreciative that we took the time just to follow up on it. She was over the moon and anxious to call other family members to let them know," Carney shared.
This case serves as a potent reminder of the importance of persistence in missing persons investigations. As Captain Carney put it, this is a "perfect example" of why it's crucial to be tenacious in such cases. "There are family members that want answers," he emphasized, underscoring the human element in these often complex and protracted investigations.
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