Authorities Search for Missing Man

Several local law enforcement agencies formed a cooperative effort to search Lake Brownwood on Wednesday for a missing Aquilla man.

Richard Gary Parker, 76, drove away from his home on April 24^th and his relatives have been looking for him ever since.  Parker’s pickup truck was found parked and abandon at Lake Brownwood’s Mountain View Lodge. There was no sign of Parker with the truck, which had been parked at Mountain View at least since April 26. (CLICK HERE for more info about Parkers disappearance in our previous article)

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office is heading up the search with assistance from the Brownwood & Early Police Departments, Texas DPS, Game Warden, Texas Department of Criminal Justice Officers from Gatesville (with their K-9 unit & horses) and Lake Patrol officers.   Sheriff Bobby Grubbs said that officers are using several means to search the rough terrain at the lake including a blood hound, horses, 4-wheelers, a helicopter, and boats to check the shorelines.   Grubbs said that so far no signs of the man have been found.

“It’s the proverbial ‘needle in a haystack,’” Grubbs said.

Authorities say that Parker left his residence in Aquilla on April 24^th, got in his pickup and drove away.  Parker’s family said that he has not driven in two years, suffers from dementia and is in need of medications for type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Parker had visited the Lake Brownwood State Park in the past on a family trip.  That is the only connection that Parker has to the lake.

“We are hoping for a good outcome but prepared for the worst,” Grubbs said.

Authorities are looking for evidence in the abandoned pickup truck.  The investigation is ongoing, but for now Grubbs said that there doesn’t appear to be signs of foul play.

Richard Parker is 6’2” tall, weighs 190 pounds and was last seen wearing a short-sleeve plaid shirt, dark blue jeans, black tennis shoes, and metal framed glasses.  Those with any information on Parker’s whereabouts should call the Hill County Sheriff’s Office at 254-582-5313 or the Brown County Sheriff’s Office at 325-646-5510.

Top Photo:  DPS Helecopter out of the Midland Regional Office helps in the search.

Right Photo:  Picture of missing man Richard Parker