Found Deceased LA - James Gunnels Jr., 89, truck found in Morse LA, Alexandria, 13 Feb 2020

[GuyfromCanada]

ACADIA PARISH, La. - Family members asking for help finding an Acadiana veteran, suffering from dementia, who may be missing in Acadia Parish.

89-year-old James Gunnels, Jr. was reported missing on February 13th, from an assisted living facility in Alexandria. Family members say he left just after 7:00 a.m. on Thursday; he was headed to Wal-mart to buy his wife a back brace. When he didn't arrive home, police reported him missing.

More at SILVER ALERT: Family members asking for help finding man with dementia missing in Acadia Parish

Alexandria, La Police Department (missing date is Feb 12)

Alexandria LA to Morse LA خرائط ‪Google‬‏‏ quite far, around 100+ miles.

This is worrying. Where could James be? Morse has a population of only about 800 people. The article states that his truck was found close to his hometown, Jennings. Perhaps he believed that he was still living there?

 

[mlhenn]

WBRZ Mobile - News Story Title

His vehicle was located Friday morning, stuck in a field in Acadia Parish, near Mermentau, just a few miles from his hometown of Jennings.

 

[mlhenn]

SILVER ALERT: Family members asking for help finding man with dementia missing in Acadia Parish

Family members tell us they were told by deputies his vehicle was caught on cameras with license plate readers at least eight times. The last time was around 11:15 a.m. Thursday morning, in Lafayette near Ridge Road and Lagneaux Road.

His truck wouldn't be found until about 22 hours later by farmers in Acadia Parish. He was just a few miles away from his hometown of Jennings.

Gunnels suffers from slight dementia and his medical condition may impair his judgment, but they believe his mind was strong. He is diabetic, and he does not have his insulin. They do say he was frail and shuffled when he walked, but they say they were told no footprints were found near his vehicle to indicate which direction he may have went.
They also say his keys were missing, and he did not have a phone.

Several search dogs were brought out as early as Friday, but there was no indication that his scent was picked up.

Gunnels is 5'11" and weighs 180 pounds, last seen wearing black jeans and a charcoal gray hoodie.

 

[Tripod]

Ugh. Following.

 

[GuyfromCanada]

Search continues for elderly man who went missing in Acadia Parish

 

[Luckyzmom]

Prayers for James to be found soon and safe my heat goes out to his wife and family

 

[mlhenn]

Search continues for elderly man who went missing in Acadia Parish

The search for Gunnels is focused near Bluejay Road in Acadia Parish. It's not far from where his truck was found Friday.
LE teamed up with Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries.
..."Obviously, we're not very far from the Mermantau River area. We're searching there with their support and assistance. We also utilize drones. We have a local pilot. Fly overs are being done with spotters that work in that aspect. We're also working with canine systems."

Gunnels family members say Tuesday, deputies used SONAR to search the nearby water, but nothing was found.

 

[GraceG]

This is so sad. I have an elderly father. Taking his vehicle away from him was the hardest thing I ever did, but he went from minor memory loss to flat out not knowing where he was going in a matter of weeks (i.e. he left to go to the store and drove to Seattle 3 hours away, picking up a hitchhiker in the process). I pray this man is found safely.

 

[mlhenn]

National Center For Missing and Endangered, Inc.

Still missing

 

[Luckyzmom]

Drones and dog search teams. How far did he get from his vehicle. Dementia is so difficult to deal with. We can't ever really imagine what loved one is going through.
James was out and about driving still. Sure hope LE and SARS teams can locate him soon. Praying for James and his family. Wish I could send his wife giant Hug)))))

 

[Luckyzmom]

Wow was just searching Google Earth. Dang !! A lot of open space / looks like crops and then pretty old sense woods. Praying for James and his family are friends.

 

[mlhenn]

Volunteers needed to assist in ground search for missing elderly man James Gunnels, Jr.

Family and friends are asking for volunteers to help search for a missing man in Acadia Parish.


Organizers have secured permission from the owner of the property where Mr. Gunnels' truck was found to conduct a grid search in the area and now are putting out a call for volunteers to help search.

Family friend Jaime Smith is one of the organizers, and says they are asking for volunteers with all backgrounds - residents in the area, hunters, trackers, former military and law enforcement, etc.

 

[mlhenn]

Missing People In America

additional link

 

[Tripod]

Bump up for James.

 

[mlhenn]

Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office

A relative has posted a lengthy comment on the Acadia Parish Sheriffs Office FB page

 

[YaYa_521]

Help find James Gunnels
There are a couple of different pics on this new FB page.

 

[mlhenn]

Help find James Gunnels

Very detailed post by granddaughter

 

[Tripod]

My heart breaks for James and particularly his dear wife. Another bump!

 

[YaYa_521]

Family creates Facebook page in hope to find missing man

A Facebook page has been created by the family of a missing man in hope to find out more information.

The name of the page is Help Find James Gunnels and can be found by clicking here.

Snip

Gunnels is 5'11" and weighs 180 pounds, last seen wearing black jeans and a charcoal gray hoodie

 

[moonriverfarm]

This is so tragic and heartbreaking.