In the fall of 2019, the quiet community of Zachary, Louisiana, was unsettled by the disappearance of 81-year-old Welton 'Wick' Pierce. On a Sunday morning, he departed from his residence on Old Scenic Highway and was never seen alive by his family again. Concerns for his well-being were amplified by the fact that he was believed to have dementia and a heart condition, and had left home without his cell phone or necessary medication.
At the time he went missing, he was wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt and gray shorts. A Silver Alert was promptly issued as law enforcement and the public began their search for the elderly man. His family and friends were left with an agonizing uncertainty, clinging to hope for his safe return.
The primary clue in the initial stages of the investigation was Mr. Pierce's vehicle, a white 2002 GMC pickup truck. He was last seen driving this truck in Jackson, Louisiana, a detail that provided a potential direction of travel for search efforts. Authorities and concerned citizens were urged to review any available camera footage that might shed light on his route. The search for Mr. Pierce was a collaborative effort, with the Zachary Police Department and the Louisiana Search and Rescue Dog Team actively involved. Tragically, while the search for Mr. Pierce was ongoing, his wife of 63 years, Mildred Pierce, was killed in a car accident. This devastating event compounded the family's grief and the community's sense of loss.
Ultimately, the search for Welton Pierce came to a sorrowful conclusion. His truck was discovered in Adams County, Mississippi, and a subsequent search of the wooded area surrounding the vehicle led to the discovery of human remains. These remains were later confirmed to be those of Mr. Pierce. The discovery was made just a week before what would have been his 82nd birthday. The case, which began as a missing person investigation, ended in a heartbreaking loss for his family and the Zachary community. Mr. Pierce was remembered as a former business owner, a Master Mason, and a Shriner, who, along with his late wife, was active in their community. The family expressed their eternal gratitude to everyone who assisted in the search, whether through their actions or their prayers, bringing a close to this tragic chapter.Last Seen: Oct 27, 2019
