Large scale search begins for missing Louisiana men

TEXARKANA, Ark. - A coordinated boots on the ground search began Wednesday in Texarkana, Ark., for two missing Louisiana men.

Trained volunteers are searching in the areas where police say the men's vehicles were discovered.

Brain Bohrer says it's been about 34 days since anyone has seen or spoken to his son, Jonathan. The Bossier City man's truck was found on East Street in Texarkana on the same day he was reported missing.

“We're just holding on to hope and smiling through the pain,” said Bohrer.

It's been about five months since Johnny Hamilton of Rodessa was reported missing. His truck was also found in the College Hill community, but it was submerged Nix Creek.

Hamilton daughters, Korine and LySonja, joined the large scale search for both men at Poindexter Park.

“Hopefully, we'll have some answers. Hopefully, we'll have some closure. But good or bad, we were just waiting for some answers. We thank everybody,” said LySonja Hamilton, Johnny Hamilton's daughter.

"They could be anywhere else, but they all decided to be here to help. So, I'm just grateful,” said Korine Hamilton, Johnny Hamilton's daughter.

The TAPD criminal investigation division is leading the search effort along with Miller County Emergency Management, the Morgan Nick Foundation, and highly trained volunteers.

“We're just doing the best we can with what we have and just hopeful that we find something today,” said Capt. Les Colley, TAPD CID commander.

In addition to about 10 search teams, crews are utilizing drones and certified K9 handlers to look at areas previously marked as areas of interest.

“We have K-9 teams from Missouri, Houston and all over Arkansas and a team from Texas,” said Travis Loehr, Miller County Office of Emergency Management.

The Morgan Nick Foundation helps assist law enforcement in searching for missing people of all ages. Colleen Nick started the non-profit one year after her 6-year-old was abducted from a little league baseball game in Alma, Ark.

“When Morgan went missing in 1995, our family had great law enforcement support. We were from a small town, so we had a lot of support. But so many families just don't have support, and they should never have to go through this by themselves,” said Nick.

Police do not believe there's a connection between the two missing men from Louisiana.

While the Morgan Nick Foundation provides critical search and rescue resources, Nick says the heart of their mission is family support.

“We encourage families don't give up hope until someone can prove to you that your loved one isn't coming home. And so there's just a lot of mix of emotions here today as they're waiting for possibly, you know, a bad outcome faced against possibly a good outcome,” said Nick.

If you have any information on these missing person cases, contact the Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department.