In the summer of 2025, the family of 74-year-old Larry Burton faced a heart-wrenching ordeal when he vanished from an assisted living facility in Greensboro, North Carolina. Suffering from dementia, Mr. Burton had only been a resident at the facility on Moody Street for eight days following a discharge from a local hospital. Concerns for his well-being were immediate, as his medical condition required consistent care and supervision.
He was last seen at the facility on the night of July 2, 2025. The following morning, the owner of the home contacted Mr. Burton's daughter to inform her that he was gone. This devastating news set in motion a desperate search for the beloved father and grandfather.
The search for Larry Burton was extensive, involving family, concerned community members, and law enforcement. Volunteers and the Greensboro Police Department combed the city, utilizing scent dogs and conducting underwater searches in their efforts to locate him. His family, living hours away, rushed to North Carolina to aid in the search and plead for any information that might lead to his return. They distributed flyers and spoke with the media, describing him as a kind and humble man. The family expressed their fear and worry, particularly given that he had been recovering from a recent hospitalization. As months passed with no sign of Mr. Burton, the holiday season arrived, casting a shadow of sadness over his family who longed for a miracle.
As the investigation into his disappearance continued, it was discovered that the facility where Mr. Burton was living was operating without a license. In September 2025, the owner of the facility, Hazel Mae Forman, was arrested and charged with operating an unlicensed care facility. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services had ordered the facility to be shut down, citing neglect and unlawful operation. While this development brought a measure of accountability, it did not bring the family closer to finding their loved one. The case of Larry Burton remains an open and painful chapter for his family, who continue to hope for answers and closure. The search efforts highlighted the community's compassion, yet the lack of resolution underscores the tragic uncertainty that surrounds a missing person case.Last Seen: Jul 2, 2025
