NewsLocal NewsIn Your ParishAcadia Parish

Actions

Family creates Facebook page in hope to find missing man

Posted at 10:14 AM, Feb 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-26 11:28:53-05

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.

89-year-old James Gunnels, Jr. was reported missing on February 13, 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.

On Feb. 14, Gunnels' truck was found in Acadia Parish, just off Blue Jay Road in Morse. It was then Louisiana State Police issued a Silver Alert on behalf of the Alexandria Police Department and the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office.

Family members tell KATC 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. February 13 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 is 5'11" and weighs 180 pounds, last seen wearing black jeans and a charcoal gray hoodie. He left driving a red 2005 GMC extended cab truck, displaying Louisiana license plate X589823.

Family members confirm 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 February 14, but there was no indication that his scent was picked up.