Non-Verbal Man Missing Since 1999 Found After Sister Sees His Photo In A News Article

November 27, 2024

Today's good news story comes from Los Angeles, California.

A California family is preparing for a Thanksgiving miracle as they reunite with a loved one who vanished 25 years ago. Thanks to the persistence of law enforcement and a chance discovery in a news article, a man reported missing in 1999 has been positively identified and will soon embrace his family again.

family finds missing nonverbal man 25 years later
St Francis Medical Center / USA Today)

The story began when a woman from Doyle, California, contacted the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office on November 22, 2024, with a startling discovery. She had been sent a USA Today article from April featuring a photograph of an unidentified, non-verbal man who had been admitted to a hospital in Los Angeles. The woman immediately recognized him as her brother, who disappeared without a trace in 1999.

Deputy Derek Kennemore of the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office took swift action, reaching out to the hospitals involved and coordinating with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Missing Persons Unit. Through fingerprint analysis, LAPD detectives confirmed the man’s identity as the long-missing brother.

“It’s gonna make their Thanksgiving that much better,” said Capt. Mike Carney of the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office, who described the sister as “super excited” and “over the moon” upon hearing the news.

The man’s disappearance had remained a mystery for decades. Non-verbal and unable to communicate his identity, he had lived under hospital care in Los Angeles. The USA Today article, which sought the public’s help in identifying him, proved to be the key to solving this decades-old case.

Law enforcement expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that led to the resolution.

“We commend Deputy Kennemore for his tenacity and the Los Angeles Police Department for their crucial assistance in identifying the missing man,” the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

While the names of the family members remain private, the emotional impact of this reunion is undeniable. The sister is eagerly notifying other family members, and the thought of being together again after so many years brings a new depth of gratitude to their Thanksgiving celebration.