Family Of Missing Garland Man Yearns For Closure
GARLAND (CBSDFW.COM) - Hal Ticknor's wife, Ann, received news on Friday that she both hoped for and feared. Garland Police told her they found her husband's car 180 miles away from home. Police also have located a body, which investigators believe to be the missing man.
"It's not what we hoped for, but after this long a time, we are thankful to find the car and to find him," said Ann Ticknor.
Hal Ticknor, 82, was last seen on October 11, driving away from his home on Morningside Drive in Garland.
Ticknor's wife says her husband has dementia, and usually does not drive to unfamiliar places on his own.
Police tracked Ticknor to Valley View, where Ticknor stopped for gas and to ask for directions back to Garland the night of October 11th.
That was the last time police say Ticknor used his credit card.
A small army of friends, family and neighbors formed a search party.
The group, including members of First Methodist Church of Garland, searched several counties, without a trace of the missing grandfather.
"We've had a ton of support. Thanks to all of them for their thoughts and prayers and phone calls, and the miles they drove looking for him. It' s just unbelievable how good people have been. We're so thankful," said Hal Ticknor, III.
Friday afternoon, a group of hunters spotted Ticknor's vehicle and the body in a wooded area near the town of Seymour. The car and plates matched Ticknor's Chevy Equinox.
Investigators say there were no signs of foul play.
"My dad, he loved that part of the country out there a lot. He probably felt comfortable. We hope he didn't suffer. We hope he was in a good place when he passed away. We're just happy to have the information. It's been real hard on my mom, and all of us actually," said Jim Ticknor.
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner will identify the body and the family is expecting to hear more on Monday.
"We had our fifty-seventh wedding anniversary last Friday. His birthday is tomorrow," said Ann.
After so many weeks without answers, reality has set in. Ann Ticknor said the news brings her a little closer to finding peace.
"In a sense it's a little bit of a relief to find something. To find something. Because we needed to know what happened," Ann said. Ticknor's son agrees with his mother, adding that closure is what the grieving family was longing for.
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