Search Teams Locate Missing 96-Year-Old Jasper Man Safe After Two-Day Effort

Photo Courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff's Office

JASPER COUNTY — A massive, multi-agency search effort ended in relief Saturday morning after 96-year-old Mr. Federico Camacho was found safe in a wooded area near his Jasper home.

Mr. Camacho was reported missing Thursday evening after leaving his residence on foot in an unknown direction. Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard said deputies immediately launched coordinated search operations with assistance from the Jasper County Emergency Corps and several local fire departments.

A K9 bloodhound team from Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office picked up Mr. Camacho’s scent along nearby railroad tracks, giving crews a direction of travel. Throughout Thursday night and into Friday morning, first responders, volunteers, and drone operators searched tirelessly but were unable to locate him.

By Friday morning, the response expanded significantly. Sheriff Havard reached out to Tim Miller, founder of Texas EquuSearch; Commander Jeff Conrad with Texas Search and Rescue; and Warden Bob Castleberry of the Gib Lewis Unit in Woodville. All three immediately deployed personnel and resources, including cadaver dogs and live human-tracking K9s, to assist in the search.

Teams worked through difficult terrain all day Friday. A Silver Alert was also issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety to bring statewide awareness to the effort.

At 7 a.m. Saturday morning, search crews moved back into the woods, focusing on areas where authorities believed Mr. Camacho may have traveled. Around 10 a.m., a Texas EquuSearch team located Mr. Camacho standing in a wooded area near clothing he had discarded. He was evaluated on scene and appeared alert and in good condition.

Using ATVs, search crews transported him to an ambulance, and he was taken to Jasper Memorial Hospital as a precaution. Sheriff Havard and Major Crowell visited the family shortly after his arrival.

“Mr. Camacho and his family were in good spirits and very appreciative of the collective search effort,” Sheriff Havard said.

Photo Courtesy of Jasper County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff expressed deep gratitude to everyone who responded.

“On behalf of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, I want to personally thank every first responder, volunteer, organization, and citizen who helped bring Mr. Camacho home safely. This community showed what it can do when we stand together.”