Missing Veteran Alert Texas: Amon Gift, Afghanistan Veteran

Sheriff's Office: U.S. Army vet found dead in Sam Rayburn had been suffering from PTSD
KTRE ABC 9 News
By Gary Bass, Digital Content Producer
Friday, January 27th 2017

SABINE COUNTY, TX (KTRE)
A 23-year-old Army veteran whose body was found in the Sam Rayburn Reservoir Thursday night had been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder that resulted from being involved in two separate bomb attacks, according to a press release.

Fishermen found Amon Gift’s body in a cove just south of Mill Creek Park on the southeast side of the Sam Rayburn Reservoir at about 2 p.m. Thursday.

“Gift was a U.S. Army veteran who had recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan,” the press release stated.

“Gift suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder which originated when he was involved in two separate bombings while serving overseas. Gift’s family said he has recently been struggling with depression due to his PTSD, and it appeared to be worsening.”

Gift, a Houston resident had been missing since Jan. 20. His family members told authorities that he left Houston in his 2008 Dodge Dakota, the press release stated.
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UPDATE
Body found in Lake Sam Rayburn is that of veteran reported missing, according to JP

Sabine County Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Jamie Brasher has identified the remains as that of Amon Gift, 23, who had been reported missing by family members after he reportedly left his home in his 2008 Dodge Dakota.

Even though an official ruling on the cause of Gift’s death has not been made, pending a formal autopsy, it is believed that the man died of a gunshot wound. However, officers are not saying at this point whether the gunshot was self-inflicted or not.
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EQUUSEARCH LOOKING FOR MISSING HOUSTON MAN WHOSE WIFE SAYS HE HAS PTSD 
ABC News 13

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Texas EquuSearch volunteers are looking for a Houston man who vanished before the weekend. Amon Gift, 23, was last seen by anyone on Friday in Houston. 

His wife Savannah told ABC13 she received a text from him saying he was at Mill Creek Park in Brookeland, Texas. But she wasn't able to find him there, his phone is turned off and no one has heard from Amon since Friday. 

She added that Amon, who serves in the military and returned from Afghanistan in May, has been diagnosed with PTSD. Savannah said she filed a missing person's report on Saturday. 
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Body of Missing Veteran Lance James Recovered From Lake

Body of Missing Former Marine from South Jersey Found in Clementon Lake
NBC 10 News
By Brian X. McCrone
January 13, 2017

Lance James disappeared in early December. He went missing after leaving a Camden County bar. His body was found Friday, Jan. 13, 2017, authorities said.

A former Marine who disappeared Dec. 2 after a confrontation at a local bar in Camden County was found in a nearby lake, authorities said Saturday.

Lance James, 29, disappeared on Dec. 2 following an altercation at Hide-A-Way Tavern in Clementon. Family and friends searched with the help of state police the week before Christmas, but his body was not found in three nearby lakes and a wooded area.

The Camden County Prosecutor's Office announced that James's body was found Friday during a search of Bottom Lake. The prosecutor's office said the cause of death was not yet determined, but there were no signs of trauma.

The bar, Hide-A-Way, was less than a mile from James' apartment.
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Brian Rossell Was Found in Lake Wausau

UPDATE
Loved ones gather to remember veteran Brian Rossell
By WSAW Staff
Oct 01, 2016

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) -- Loved ones of fallen veteran Brian Rossell looked for comfort and healing as they gathered to remember him at the DC Everest Park in Wausau Saturday afternoon.

Rossell's body was found in Lake Wausau in September.

His family says he was dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Members of the American Legion and the veterans support group, Souls of Honor gathered to show support.
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Wisconsin Veteran heartbroken after Police Discover Fellow Vet's Body
CBS News 58
By Christie Green
Updated: Sep 09, 2016

29-year-old Brian Rossell was found in Lake Wausau Thursday afternoon. Police said evidence shows he took his own life. A person bird watching located his body which was found 150 feet from shore near the Eagles Cub landing. An autopsy will be conducted Friday.

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) -- Though the exact circumstances of Brian Rossell's death remain uncertain, veterans in our area mourn the loss of a man they consider a brother.

Martin Glenn wants all veterans to know they're not alone. "I'm just numb right now," he said.

He returned home Thursday after dedicating three days and nights to searching for Rossell.

"The look on the mom's face when it came over the radio. Like that's just heartbreaking," he said, describing the moments after he heard Rossell's body was found in Lake Wausau.

His heart heavy for a veteran whom he did not know, but whose pain he did.

"Dad gets sad, dad gets angry and dad gets upset certain times of the year because he misses his friend." That's how Glenn explains his post-traumatic stress disorder to his four-year-old.
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Missing Veteran Alert Brian Rossell PTSD Service Dog Led Searchers to River

SAD UPDATE
29-year-old Brian Rossell was found in Lake Wausau Thursday afternoon. Police said evidence shows he took his own life. A person bird watching located his body which was found 150 feet from shore near the Eagles Cub landing. An autopsy will be conducted Friday.



Police searching for man in Wisconsin River
USA TODAY NETWORK
Arielle Hines, -Wisconsin
September 6, 2016

WAUSAU - Police were searching the Wisconsin River Tuesday morning for a Wausau man who has been missing since Sunday night.

Brian Rossell
(Photo: Wausau Police Department)

Brian Rossell, 29, left his home without his keys, wallet, ID and phone, near The Store in Wausau with his service dog at around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, police said. Rossell never leaves home without his service dog, but the dog was found in the parking lot of his apartment complex with no collar or leash at 11:30 p.m., police said.

Rossell has a service dog because he is a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder and the dog is used as a companion for the man, said Wausau Police Lt. Andrew Hartwig. Rossell's girlfriend also told police he suffers from depression, paranoia, anxiety and schizoaffective disorder, a release said. 

Search crews have been looking for Rossell along the Wisconsin River because the dog led his girlfriend to the river and started whimpering, Hartwig said.

Search crews were searching for Rossell at the Wausau Dam on Tuesday morning, Hartwig said. Police will also search for Rossell at the downtown islands, parks and river until he is found, according to a release.
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Bradenton Missing Veteran Has Been Found

UPDATE
10 News Tampa Bay 

Missing Bradenton veteran located Ian Oswald has been located, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

MISSING military veteran in Manatee County
By WFLA Web Staff
Published: September 4, 2016

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – A military veteran diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder was reported missing in Manatee County Saturday.

Ian Oswald, 36, is a 16-year veteran who was medically retired due to PTSD. He left his residence on 53rd Avenue West in Bradenton Saturday night threatening to harm himself. His wife Lori reported him missing.
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PTSD Afghanistan Missing Veteran Found Safe

ARMY VETERAN FOUND AFTER ESCAPING FROM HOSPITAL
ABC 13 News
By Kaitlin McCulley
July 26, 2016

HUMBLE, TX (KTRK) -- A 26-year-old Army veteran was found in Cypress after escaping from a hospital in Humble.

Shane Zhan was being treated at Memorial Hermann Northeast after attempting suicide. According to the Humble Police Department, Zhan escaped Sunday.

His father, Mark Zahn, tells abc13 that Shane walked from Humble to Cypress and started talking to an elderly pastor. The pastor convinced him to contact his family, according to Mark.

Danielle Ursell is his twin sister. She and the rest of her family were concerned Zhan was a danger to himself. She said he suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and has been reluctant to get help.

Mark Zahn agreed.

"Keeps the problems inside, doesn't want to talk with anybody," Zahn said. "Doesn't want to share his problems with anybody."

Zahn wants to know how his son was able to escape.
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Missing Veteran Alert: Kentucky Iraq Veteran

Reward Offered For Missing Veteran's Whereabouts
LEX 18 News
Monticello Police Department
July 13, 2016

MONTICELLO, Ky. (LEX 18) The search has intensified for an Iraq veteran missing since Memorial Day weekend.

The mother of Dustan Lair is offering a reward to help find her son. Lair has been missing for almost a month and half. His family has a lot of unanswered questions. They have gone unanswered for so long, they have put up a $5000 reward.

Susan Lair last saw her only son right before the Memorial Day weekend while he was in town to visit family and friends.
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Body Found In River Was Missing Veteran Somebody Loved

Body found on west bank of Animas River identified
Durango Herald
By Jonathan Romeo Herald staff writer
May 22, 2016

“We don’t want him to be another nameless face found in Colorado that nobody knew,” Jack Shaw said. “He was somebody.”

Courtesy of the Shaw family

The family of Randy Shaw, whose body was identified Sunday after it was discovered Saturday along the Animas River in Durango, is desperately trying to track down his dog, Johlene. The dog is a brown and white pit bull mix.

The body of a 40-year old man discovered Saturday afternoon along the west bank of the Animas River near West Park Avenue has been identified as Kansas native Randy Shaw.

“We all knew this phone call was coming,” said Shaw’s brother, Jack. “We were just glad he was found and not off the mountain somewhere and never heard from again.

“We’re all torn up about it. But at the same time he’s not suffering anymore.”

Around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, a worker spotted Shaw’s body behind a West Park Avenue home, downstream from the Main Avenue bridge. The body was in a sleeping bag, covered in brush near the river’s edge.
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MISSING VETERAN ALERT CALIFORNIA

Iraq veteran with PTSD missing from Carson
Daily Breeze
May 22, 2016

An Army veteran who fought in Iraq and might suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder has gone missing in Carson, authorities said Sunday.

Benjamin “Ben’’ Vogt, 38, was last seen at 9:50 p.m. Saturday in Carson, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

He left in his 1999 blue Dodge Durango and stated that he was heading to a rest stop, possibly along a highway, deputies said.

His license plate number is 4TWB526.

Vogt served two tours in Iraq and appears to suffer from PTSD and depression.
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Police Confirm Body Pulled From River is Missing Veteran Adam Sharp

Remains pulled from river ID’d as missing Marine veteran, police say
New Jersey 101.5
By Toniann Antonelli
April 25, 2016

For months after his disappearance, those who knew Adam Sharp — the 23-year-old reported missing on New Year’s Eve — believed he was trying to avoid being found. Late last week, police confirmed what the family feared – the retired Marine has died.

Authorities have identified the human remains pulled from the Raritan River in Perth Amboy on April 10 as Adam Sharp. His sister, Katie Sharp, posted about the veteran’s death.

“I regret to inform everyone that my brother Adam has passed away. I love you so much Adam and I wish I could tell you again what you mean to me,” Sharp wrote in an emotional post late last week.

Adam’s mother, Trudy Sharp, told NJ Advance Media Monday that her son retired from the military about a year ago, after serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan. She said he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Sharp told NJ Advance Media that Highland Park Police Detective Sean McGraw visited her personally to deliver the news about her son’s remains being found.
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Missing Veteran Alert: Manatee Florida

Manatee deputies looking for 67-year-old veteran
Press Release
Published: April 22, 2016

ELLENTON, Fla. – A 67-year-old man is missing. Robert Shea was last seen at 9:30 a.m. Friday by his wife when she left the home.

Photo via Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Ro wife talked to him at approximately 10:45 a.m. by phone and he was still at home.


Robert is a veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and severe panic attacks. He also has a history of strokes and is required to take daily medication to control his high blood pressure.

Anyone with information on Robert’s whereabouts should contact the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011.

Still Missing Veteran Alert Michigan

Michigan family seeks help in search for missing Marine vet
Marine Corps Times 
Matthew L. Schehl 
April 19, 2016

Geoffrey Michael Bowen was last seen by his wife on March 31 at his home in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo: Courtesy Kenneth Bowen)

Police and family are urgently asking for help locating a Marine vet missing for two weeks.

On April 1, the sheriff’s office in Jackson County, Michigan, issued a missing person alert for Geoffrey Michael Bowen, who was last seen by his wife on March 31 at his home in Brooklyn, Michigan.

“[Bowen] is 5 feet 10 inches, 175 pounds with short brown hair and a short brown beard,” police said in the alert. “He was last seen driving a 1989 Ford Bronco dark blue in color with white stripes. It has a Michigan Marine veteran license plate with the registration of OLCC7.”

Bowen joined the Marines as a rifleman in December 2005. He deployed to Iraq twice — once in 2007 and again in 2008. He left the service as a corporal in December 2009, according to Marine Corps officials. His brother said he served with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines.
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Critical Missing Person is Iraq Veteran

UPDATE
Missing Marine veteran found safe in San Diego area
WCPO Staff
4:52 PM, Apr 15, 2016
30 mins ago
CINCINNATI — The Marine veteran reported missing from his Anderson Township home on Wednesday was found safe in the San Diego, California area, according to authorities.

San Diego sheriff's deputies safely located Anthony “Tony” Pastura, WCPO sister station KGTV reported.
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Missing Marine served with heavy-hit unit in Iraq
Marine Corps Times
Matthew L. Schehl and Jeff Schogol
April 14, 2016

A Marine from one of the heaviest-hit units of the Iraq War is missing, and Cincinnati-area police are urgently asking for help locating him.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office issued a “critical missing person” alert Wednesday evening for veteran Anthony “Tony” Pastura, 33, who has not been seen since Monday.

“Anthony suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and has made previous suicidal threats,” police said in the statement. “Anthony is possibly operating a dark blue, 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee with an Ohio Licence Plate ‘169YIE’.”

Officials said that he could be in central Ohio or with friends in Columbus, the Columbus Dispatch reported.

Pastura served as a mortarman with Columbus-based Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, including a 2010-2011 deployment to Afghanistan. He left the Reserve as a sergeant in December 2012, according to Marine Corps officials.

One month before Pastura joined the unit, Lima 3/25 deployed to Haditha, Iraq. “Lucky Lima” lost 22 Marines and a corpsman over that deployment, 11 during a single improvised explosive device attack in August 2005.
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Air Force Veteran Missing in California

Police, family search for missing Air Force veteran
Air Force Times
Staff Report
March 11, 2016

Police in Hermosa Beach, California, are searching for a missing Air Force veteran, Michael David Vanzandt, who disappeared while out with friends last Saturday night.

A photo of Air Force veteran Michael Vanzandt and his children.

(Photo: Courtesy Tyler Vanzandt)

Vanzandt, 36, is a former security forces airman who now works at Edwards Air Force Base. He was last seen leaving Hermosa Beach's waterfront Pier Plaza area Saturday, March 5, with an unidentified group of people, his brother, Tyler Vanzandt, told Air Force Times.

Vanzandt was last seen on a city security camera heading east, away from the waterfront, around 11:30 pm accompanied by an unidentified group.

"We’re trying to locate those people who might have been with him," Tyler Vanzandt said. "No one's come forward to say something. That’s the biggest help we could get if one of those people would come forward. It would let us get some idea of what he was doing."
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Veteran of Three Deployments Found Safe

Looks like miracles do still happen!

Family says missing veteran found safe
KHOU 11 News
Kevin Reece
March 8, 2016

“He has not burned all of his bridges here,” his aunt said. “That we do love him and everybody’s very concerned. And his children miss him a lot. And everybody pray for a miracle for him, because that’s what it’s gonna take.”

HOUSTON - A Houston family says Joseph Daniel Hopkins was found safe overnight, this after he was reported missing.

Concerned family and friends were desperately searching for the brain-injured veteran who walked away from Camp Hope in northwest Harris County two and a half weeks ago with only his wallet and the clothes on his back.

Hopkins, 31, served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. His family says he suffered a traumatic brain injury when a bomb exploded under his vehicle. Monica Hopkins Key says her nephew has struggled with PTSD and dependency issues ever since, often hoping that the next stop, the next treatment center, will finally bring him a solution and peace.
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Missing Veteran's Body Found in Red River

Family of veteran found in river offers advice in dealing with PTSD 
KSLA News
Posted by Troy Washington
Updated: Feb 21, 2016

BOSSIER CITY, LA (KSLA) - The body of a Bossier City man who was reported missing earlier this month was recovered from the Red River Sunday.

The body of 33-year-old Bernard Rozell Hall
was found Sunday morning in the Red River
(Source: Bossier City Police Department)

The Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol found the body of 33-year-old Bernard Rozell Hall around 7:00 a.m.

Police say the Bernard Hall's body was found in the river near the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway scenic overlook area, just north of McDade Street.

Hall was reported missing on February 10 by family members.

"Anyone out there going through this or dealing with this let it be known, post traumatic stress disorder is a serious illness," said Pamela Hall.
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KSLA News 12 Shreveport, Louisiana News Weather

Body of Missing Veteran Found in Ohio

Missing Morrow man's body found in Little Miami River 
WLWT News 
By Jeff Cousins 
Feb 21, 2016 

Aaron Berns, 27, fled from scene of house fire in January


MORROW, Ohio —A months-long search for a missing Morrow man ended Saturday.

Aaron Berns, 27, went missing Jan. 1 after a fire in the 200 block of Main Street in Morrow.

Berns' family said he had been struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder after serving two tours in the military overseas.

Prior to the identification of the body, the family had planned a vigil for Berns on Sunday.
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UPDATE

Family holds vigil for Morrow veteran pulled from river

Cincinnati News, FOX19-WXIX TV

Marine Adam Sharp Still Missing

Sad Update
Remains pulled from river ID’d as missing Marine veteran, police say

Mother of missing Marine longs for son's safe return
My Central New Jersey
Suzanne Russell
February 19, 2016

Adam apparently got out of the friend's car in the Fords section of Woodbridge without his wallet, backpack, veterans identification and bank card.

Adam Sharp saw active combat in Afghanistan.

(Photo:Courtesy of Highland Park Police Department)

HIGHLAND PARK - Trudy Sharp longs to hear some good news about the location of her 23-year-old son, Adam, a. U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

For more than a month, there has been no word.

"Nothing at all," said Sharp. "It's bizarre. He's one of those kids that kept in touch all the time. I'm not sure what to do. I don't know where he is."

Adam Sharp is a graduate of Edison High School who entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 2010 and rose up the ranks to become a sergeant, his mother said.

"He did so well," said Sharp, of Red Bank. "He's just a great individual and very friendly."

Adam Sharp lives in North Carolina. During the recent holiday season, he came to New Jersey to visit family. He was staying with his brother's family in Highland Park. She said her son also is close to his sister, a medical school student slated to graduate next year.

"He was fine Christmas Day," Sharp said.
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Family Searching for Missing Iraq Veteran in Louisiana

Family of missing Bossier City war veteran wants answers 
KSLA News
by Troy Washington 
Feb 14, 2016 

BOSSIER CITY, LA (KSLA) - A Bossier City family wants answers five days after the mysterious disappearance of 33-year-old Bernard Hall, an Iraqi war veteran.

"Police tell us that a blood trail led to the river, but we're still hopeful that he's out there somewhere,” said Hall’s mother, Pamela Hall. His car was found abandoned on the banks of the Red River. Hall was last seen Tuesday and reported missing on Wednesday. 

"Bernard, you have a loving family and we want you home," said Pamela Hall. Bossier and Caddo Parish dive teams have been searching for Hall who, according to his family, suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Bi-polar disorder and Schizophrenia. "He's missing and we have no idea where he is, we are hurting," added Pamela Hall. read more here

Remains of SPC Brian Orolin Identified

Remains Identified as Missing Army Veteran Brian Orolin
NBC News
by RACHAEL TROST
FEB 4 2016

Remains found in Harris County, Texas have been positively identified as those of missing Army veteran Brian Orolin, who disappeared in November 2014.

According to officials with the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, the remains were discovered the day after Christmas 2015 and took several weeks to identify.

The cause and manner of death are still pending.

Donna Orolin, Brian's wife, confirmed the news late Wednesday on the 'Help Find Brian Orolin' Facebook page.

"The search for missing Army Veteran, SPC Brian Orolin, has come to an end," she posted. "I would appreciate your continued prayers for my 2 young daughters and I, as we begin our journey to mourn from his loss and for my 2 girls to grow up without their Dad. We would appreciate your respect for our privacy at this time."
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From 2015
Family Searching For Missing Texas Afghanistan Veteran