10 replies to this topic

[Lori Davis]

http://www.news-jour...8636fc5a4d.html

Missing man’s truck found abandoned near his Rusk County home

Posted: Friday, March 2, 2012 4:00 am | Updated: 7:21 am, Fri Mar 2, 2012.
From KETK reports



Rusk County officials on Wednesday found the abandoned truck of a Mount Enterprise man reported missing earlier this week.

James “Jimmy” Tidwell, 58, was last seen Feb. 15 at work. His truck was found about five miles from his home, at the intersection of FM 95 and Texas 315.

Tidwell is 5 feet, 3 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds, according to the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone with information on Tidwell’s whereabouts is asked to contact Rusk County Sheriff’s Office investigator Robert Stinehour at (903) 657-3581, or call Rusk County Crime Stoppers at (903) 655-TIPS (8477).

[Lori Davis]

http://www.henderson...1871e3ce6c.html

Search is on for missing ME man

Posted: Monday, March 5, 2012 6:00 pm | Updated: 1:27 pm, Mon Mar 5, 2012.
By Matthew Prosser, News Editor

MOUNT ENTERPRISE — The search continues for a missing Rusk County man.

Starting at about 9 a.m. Saturday, officers from the criminal investigation division of the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office formed search and rescue teams in effort to locate James “Jimmy” Tidwell, 58, of Mount Enterprise.

“The search ended at approximately 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon with no signs of Mr. Tidwell,” said RCSO spokeswoman Sgt. Viki Penny. “Mr. Tidwell was reported missing last Tuesday by his employer, advising Feb. 15 was the last day he reported to work,”

“On Wednesday, Feb. 29, Rusk County Investigators discovered Mr. Tidwell’s abandoned truck on Farm-to-Market 95 and Texas Highway 315 […] approximately 5 miles from his residence,” Penny said.

RCSO Sheriff Danny R. Pirtle stated he was very appreciative to all those who participated in the search.

“It was well-organized and conducted in a professional manner,” he said. “We will continue this investigation and will utilize all resources available in an attempt to locate Mr. Tidwell.”

Assisting in the search was the Rusk County Mounted Patrol, Rusk County Search and Rescue Canines, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Henderson Rescue Unit, and District Attorney’s Office.

“There were approximately 40 participants in the search,” Penny added. “But the investigation continues and investigators encourage anyone with information as to Mr. Tidwell’s whereabouts to contact Rusk County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Robert Stinehour.”

Stinehour can be reached at (903) 657-3581 and the number for Rusk County Crime Stoppers is (903) 655-8477.

[Lori Davis]

http://lightandchamp...eks-missing-man

Rusk SO seeks missing man

ARTICLE | MARCH 14, 2012

The Rusk County Sheriff’s Department is seeking James “Jimmy” Tidwell. Tidwell has been missing since approximately Feb. 15 when he was last seen. His his vehicle was located abandoned off Highway 95 and Highway 315 on Feb. 28..

Tidwell is 58 years-of-age, is 5’3” tall, and weighs approximately 170 pounds.

Anyone that has information on Tidwell’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Rusk County Crime Stoppers at (903)657-TIPS (8477 or Robert Stinehour, Rusk County Sheriff’s Investigator at 903-657-3581.

[Lori Davis]

http://www.news-jour...a0a49ddbdf.html

Rusk County missing man investigation continues

Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 4:00 am
By Angela Ward

The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the disappearance of James “Jimmy” Tidwell of Mount Enterprise, public information officer Viki Penny said Friday.

Tidwell, 58, last showed up to work at Flanders Electric on Feb. 15 and was reported missing by his employers Feb. 28. His employers, Rusk County Crime Stoppers, his sister, and brother-in-law, Lynn and Joe Akin, are offering a combined $3,000 reward for information about his whereabouts.

Tidwell had worked for Flanders Electric in Longview as a mechanic for more than 10 years, said manager Don Yagle.

“It’s very unusual for him to just not show up to work and not contact us to let us know why,” Yagle said. “After we were unable to get ahold of him for more than a week, we were so concerned we filed a report with the authorities.”

Yagle said he had no theories as to where Tidwell may be or whether his disappearance is voluntary or the result of foul play.

“He’s a good person and we’d like to know what happened with him,” Yagle said. “We’re all hoping he’s OK.”

Lynn Akin said her brother had moved to the property in Mount Enterprise a few months before his disappearance. He previously lived in Gladewater.

“He was a pretty quiet guy,” she said. “He had a few friends, but he wasn’t a life-of-the-party sort of person. He mostly just went to work, then came home and did stuff around his property.”

Akin said she and her brother were close and generally talked — either in person or on the phone — about once a week. The last time she saw him was Feb. 4, when he came to her home in Minden, a community in Rusk County.

“I believe something bad has happened to him,” Akin said. “I don’t think he would voluntarily leave his job and his property and not at least let me know where he was going or why.”

Anyone with information on Tidwell is asked to contact the Rusk County Crime Stoppers tip line at (903) 655-8477.

[Lori Davis]

https://www.findthem...ases/show/15265
NamUs profile for James Tidwell - Case 15265

[Lori Davis]

http://www.kltv.com/...for-missing-man

Authorities hit dead end in search for missing man

Posted: Apr 11, 2012 8:26 PM EDT
Updated: Apr 11, 2012 11:43 PM EDT
By Jena Johnson

RUSK COUNTY, TX (KLTV) - A Rusk County man vanished from his home nearly two months ago.

James "Jimmy" Tidwell was reported missing February 15, after he didn't report to work for several days. Later, his truck was found abandoned near his home. Tidwell's family says they're desperately seeking answers.

Rain falls on Tidwell's abandoned truck, and the grass continues to grow around the cabin his younger sister, Lynn Akin, says her brother built and loved.

"This is normally mowed and groomed to be a home place because that's what he considered it," she said.
 
For nearly two months there has been no trace of Tidwell. 

"I don't think that he abandoned it willingly," said Akin. "I don't think he walked off and walked away."

"It's possible that he just walked away from everything and he's living somewhere else and he may surface eventually," said Chief Deputy Ron Duncan with the Rusk County Sheriff's Office. "The odds that that's the case, at this point, it's just as likely that there may have been foul play involved."

Duncan says Tidwell's white Ford pickup was found about five miles from his home after he missed work several days.

About a month ago, authorities scoured Tidwell's property and the surrounding areas outside of Minden in Rusk County. Their search turned up empty. 
 
"It was a hard day," said Akin. "I just kind of walked around hoping that I would stumble across something and with no luck, so it was very disappointing that we cannot find anything at this time." 

As discouraging as the days have been, Akin says she holds on to her brother's picture, believing someone knows what happened.
   
"Whether it's good news or bad news, any kind of news is better than no news because we are just looking for answers as to what happened and when and all the normal things that loves ones want to know," said Akin. "If your family just drops off the face of the earth, you'd wonder what happened. "

There's a $3,000 reward for information leading to Tidwell's whereabouts.

[Lori Davis]

http://www.henderson...19bb2963f4.html

James "Jimmy" Tidwell
Posted: Friday, February 15, 2013 12:30 pm

One year later, Rusk County law enforcement agencies are no closer to finding out what happened to James “Jimmy” Tidwell. Sgt. Robert Stinehour, criminal investigator for the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department, said his department is “no closer to finding out what happened to Mr. Tidwell than they were a year ago when the investigation was begun.”Anyone with any information is urged to call Rusk County Crime Stoppers. That number is (903) 655-8477.

[Lori Davis]

http://www.marshalln...50ac48f59e.html

 

Families of the missing find new hope after Cleveland rescue

Posted: Tuesday, May 14, 2013 4:00 am | Updated: 3:31 pm, Tue May 14, 2013.

By Sarah Thomas

 

Two East Texas families are living with renewed hope for their missing loved ones after three Cleveland women — missing for more than 10 years — were found alive Monday.

 

Janice Norwood’s daughter, Kimberly Norwood, vanished a mile away from the family home in Hallsville more than 20 years ago.

She was 12 years old.

 

“Every time they find someone it ... gives me hope,” Janice Norwood said.

 

Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight and Gina DeJesus had been held captive for 10 years in a Cleveland, Ohio, home before Berry was able to escape Monday.

 

“I think it’s just awesome. I’m so glad for their families,” Janice Norwood said.

 

Norwood’s daughter was last seen on the evening of May 20, 1989, by friends who were walking her home. Kimberly and her friends split up during the walk.

 

The description of what Kimberly was last seen wearing — 1980s staples that included a Swatch watch and black Keds tennis shoes — is a reminder of how long it has been since the girl described as a good student, in love with horses and giggly about boys disappeared.

 

“She was a normal 12-year-old,” Janice Norwood said as she struggled to recall memories from those years ago.

 

As decades passed, Janice Norwood’s hope of finding her missing child has had its peaks and valleys, with peaks spurred by news of other missing girls reunited with their families.

 

“It happened three years ago when they found Jaycee Dugard,” Janice Norwood said.

 

Dugard was abucted in 1991 in California and was missing 18 years.

 

Hope isn’t just for families. Police continue to work the Norwood case, following leads and tips as recently as this past year.

 

“We still get tips from around the country. The most recent tip we got was regarding a woman who lives in California and thought a neighbor looked similar. That was eight months ago,” said Jay Webb, spokesman for the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.

 

But Webb didn’t want to say if police believe Norwood’s family would be as fortunate as the families of the Cleveland women, adding the outcome there is what family, friends and investigators hope for in every case.

 

But in reality, Webb said, what happened in Cleveland is almost unheard of.

 

“I would say to find someone, especially three ladies that have been kept secreted away for this long, is highly unusual,” he said.

 

Still, Webb said, he has never closed the books on the Norwood case.

 

“This is absolutely an ongoing investigation. It has never been closed. There’s been a complete and thorough investigation for over 20 years,” he said.

 

Nothing short of finding Kimberly Norwood, Webb said, would end the investigation, one that has included the efforts of the Texas Rangers, sheriff’s deputies, FBI agents, psychics and four private investigators hired by the Norwood family.

 

“We won’t close this case until we find someone who stands up and says ‘I’m Kimberly Norwood’ and we can positively ID them or we find remains we can ID as her,” he said.

 

Norwood struggled to find words as she imagined what reuniting with her daughter would feel like.

 

“There are no words,” she said. “It would just be so awesome. That would be the best Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas there could ever be.”

 

Although Janice Norwood has gained a new hope for her daughter’s return, she said her husband, Bobby, doesn’t share the same feelings.

“I sense Kim is alive. A lot of people don’t. Bobby doesn’t,” she said.

 

After struggling to find the words, Janice Norwood said it would be more difficult to die having never found her daughter than to have found her dead, adding not knowing and not getting closure is the worst part.

 

“Not finding her at all would be terrible. We want to know. We need to know,” she said.

 

And time could be running out for the couple whose health is rapidly declining — worsened by the stress of losing their daughter.

 

“Early on I got so tired of people in the grocery store coming up to me because they had seen us on TV or in the newspaper and they told me how strong I was. I just got so tired of hearing it because I don’t think I was that strong. I was just doing what I had to do,” Janice Norwood said.

 

She survived breast cancer in 2004 and a heart attack two years later. Bobby Norwood suffered a stroke in 2003 and a heart attack in 2010, after

which he had quadruple bypass surgery.

 

Janice Norwood was hospitalized 19 days in March, another six days earlier this month and was recently diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver.

 

“I know this. When I die, I will know. I’ll know then,” Janice Norwood said.

 

Jimmy Tidwell

 

The news from Cleveland fueled optimism in Rusk County, where a man has been missing for more than a year.

 

James “Jimmy” Tidwell’s truck was found Feb. 28, 2012, about eight miles from his home near Texas 315 and FM 95, said Sgt. David Roberts with the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Lynn Akin, Tidwell’s sister, said no matter how small the possibility of finding her brother alive she, too, welcomes news such as that in Cleveland and the hope it gives her family.

 

“There are times that I think the worst because I think he would’ve contacted his family,” she said.

 

Before his disappearance, Akin said she and her brother spoke at least once a week.

 

“Emotionally, it’s very hard. There’s always those doubts and you constantly think about the ifs and buts, and you drive yourself insane,” she said.

 

Akin, like Janice Norwood, said she needs closure. She said knowing her brother is dead would at least give his family a way to start the healing process.

 

“We could begin to put the pieces back together and move on. It would be a bad deal, but it would also be something concrete. Otherwise, you’re just hanging in limbo,” Akin said.

[Lori Davis]

http://www.news-jour...0f72b91902.html

 

Sister of missing Rusk County man desperately seeks answers

 

Posted: Wednesday, February 5, 2014 4:00 am | Updated: 7:50 am, Wed Feb 5, 2014.

By Sarah Thomas sthomas@news-journal.com

 

HENDERSON — A Rusk County woman says she is still desperate for answers two years after her brother disappeared.

 

Investigators have no leads in the case of James “Jimmy” Tidwell’s disappearance, and his family hasn’t heard from him.

 

“The not knowing is very, very difficult. You just can’t really explain the feeling. You always hope. You always pray. But there is no closure,” Lynn Akin said as she was joined Tuesday by Rusk County Sheriff Jeff Price, Sgt. David Roberts and Sgt. Robert Stinehour at a new conference at the Rusk County Justice Center.

 

The event aimed at once again seeking the public’s assistance in finding Tidwell.

 

Though no physical evidence has been found to support foul play, Stinehour said circumstantial evidence points in that direction.

 

On Feb. 28, 2012, Tidwell’s employer, Flanders Electric, called the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office about 11:30 a.m. to request someone go to his home to check his welfare.

 

Deputies found no one at the Tidwell residence in the 1300 block of CR 3122 in Mount Enterprise, and there were no signs of foul play, Stinehour said.

Tidwell’s wife, Carol Tidwell, told investigators she hadn’t seen her husband since Feb. 24, 2012.

 

Carol Tidwell did not attend Tuesday’s news conference, and Stinehour said she has been cooperative only when he has been able to contact her.

 

“We’re not ruling out foul play at this time,” Stinehour said.

 

The Rusk County Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone with information leading to Tidwell’s whereabouts, with $2,000 coming from Crime Stoppers, $2,000 from Akin and $1,000 from Flanders Electric and its employees.

 

This is the second year Akin and investigators have held a news conference to draw attention to Tidwell’s disappearance. She said Tuesday that the news conference would be an annual event if investigators continue to ask her to show up.

 

Whether Tidwell is dead or alive, she said, she needs to know what happened.

 

“Good or bad, I’m looking for answers. I’m looking for the truth,” Akin said. “I’m not going to quit asking questions or turning over stones.”

[Lori Davis]

http://www.news-jour...2a7d514de5.html

 

Missing persons cases baffling

 

Posted: Saturday, March 15, 2014 4:00 am

By Sarah Thomas sthomas@news-journal.com

 

On April 2, 2008, Cornelius Blalock fled a Rusk County deputy and his K9 never to be seen again.

 

Today, Blalock remains listed as a missing person whose disappearance is “suspicious,” Sgt. Robert Stinehour said Friday afternoon.

 

The Blalock case has become one of several priorities for the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office, adding to a list of unsolved cases comprised of three homicides and three missing persons.

 

“There is no evidence to make us suspect foul play, but it is suspicious,” he said, adding Blalock’s family hasn’t heard from him either.

 

“To run from the police is one thing, but he hasn’t made contact with his mother,” he said, adding investigators would like to be able to find him to at least give his mother closure.

 

Sgt. David Roberts said Friday afternoon, Blalock’s sister reported him missing two months after he fled into the woods after being pulled over on the stretch of U.S. 59 that traverses the southeastern tip of the county.

 

“After we got the initial reports of the missing person from his sister, our mounted patrol unit and investigators spent 12 hours one day searching on foot and horseback,” he said.

 

Blalock took the opportunity to run while the deputy was walking his K9 around Blalock’s 2006, four-door Pontiac sedan, Roberts said, adding the car’s make and color were not available.

 

“At that time our K9 unit was working that 2-mile stretch of 59 real hot and heavy because he had made some good (drug) busts down there,” he said. “The deputy did give chase but he didn’t see him run and didn’t realize he was gone because he was running his K9.”

 

Arrest warrants for possession of a controlled substance and evading arrest and/or detention have been filed against Blalock. The deputy found drugs in Blalock’s vehicle, Roberts said.

 

“We know he ran because of what he had in the vehicle. What happened after that? We don’t know,” Roberts said, adding the chances Blalock, a resident of Louisiana, is still hanging around Rusk County are “slim to none.”

 

Rusk County authorities have made contact with Louisiana authorities hoping to gain some traction in the case.

 

‘A heavy load’

 

No arrests have been made and no suspects have been named in the deaths of Donald Lee Clark, 79, Alfonzia Garland, 64, or Jason Neil Vickers, 44.

Clark was found shot to death in his home in early January, the victim of what investigators have determined was a robbery gone wrong.

 

“We still haven’t gotten any tips to our Crime Stoppers on that one,” Roberts said Friday.

 

A week after Clark’s body was found County Commissioners approved a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.

 

On Feb. 5, 64-year-old Garland was found slumped over in a truck parked along CR 4107 in the Turnertown area. He had been shot to death, investigators said.

 

Vickers’ body was found May 9, 2010, in a vacant mobile home on CR 1112D off of FM 3052.

 

“It’s a heavy load for our investigators, and these are all ongoing cases for us,” Stinehour said.

 

Missing persons

 

Shirley Hunt, 70, disappeared June 19, 2007, from the Good Springs area on County Road 454. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office and DPS searched the area for four or five days after her disappearance.

 

“We had DPS helicopter in the air searching the night of her disappearance,” Roberts had said.

 

Investigators have not received any tips regarding Hunt’s whereabouts.

 

James Lamar Tidwell Jr.’s employer requested deputies do a welfare check at his home on Feb. 28, 2012. Deputies found no one was at the home in the 1300 block of CR 3122 in Mount Enterprise, and there were no signs of foul play, Stinehour said.

 

His wife reported last seeing him four days earlier.

 

His truck was found about eight miles from his home on Texas 315 and FM 95 in Rusk County. Investigators have found no evidence of foul play in either case.

[Deborah]

James is still missing.

 

http://www.txdps.sta...=Missing Person