“I realized that I left the back gate open and I panicked and came inside the house, searched the house, me and my wife. Once that didn’t pan out, I got in the van, I looked down the street in both directions, it was getting dark, getting cold.”
I don't want to be that guy who questions every single word or action, but here goes.....if you realized the gate was left open and they were gone, wouldn't your first inkling be to go check OUTSIDE where they may have roamed? Instead of searching INSIDE the house? Especially since, as I beleive he said he was on his way back OUT when he noticed they weren't there (If he was coming from outside his gate he would have seen them).
I don't want to be that guy who questions every single word or action, but here goes.....if you realized the gate was left open and they were gone, wouldn't your first inkling be to go check OUTSIDE where they may have roamed? Instead of searching INSIDE the house? Especially since, as I beleive he said he was on his way back OUT when he noticed they weren't there (If he was coming from outside his gate he would have seen them).