Man Missing Since 1999 Found Alive, Reunited with Family After 25 Years

A California man who vanished 25 years ago has been found alive, thanks to his sister recognizing his photo in a news article.

The Lassen County Sheriff’s Department announced on Monday, Nov. 25, that the man, missing since 1999, was identified after his sister saw a picture of an unidentified hospital patient in an April 2024 USA Today article. The report featured a patient at St. Francis Medical Center in Los Angeles County who was found in South Los Angeles but remained unidentified due to being nonverbal.

The woman, believing the man in the photo was her long-lost brother, contacted the sheriff’s department. She revealed that her brother had disappeared from Doyle, California, and was reported missing in 1999. Authorities have withheld their identities to protect the family’s privacy.

Deputy Derek Kennemore reached out to the hospital and learned the patient had been transferred to another facility in July. After coordinating with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit, detectives confirmed the man’s identity using fingerprints.

The sheriff’s department shared that the family was notified, and plans for a reunion were set in motion.

“The sister was super excited to reunite with her brother,” Capt. Mike Carney told ABC News. “She was over the moon and anxious to share the news with other family members.”

Carney added that the reunion was especially meaningful as it coincided with Thanksgiving, making the holiday even more special for the family.

“This is a perfect example of why families should remain hopeful in missing person cases,” he said.

The discovery has brought closure to a decades-long mystery, offering a heartwarming reminder of the power of perseverance and family bonds.