Preston Man Missing 4 Weeks Found Dead During Volunteer Search

This article shares the heartbreaking end to the search for Henry “Pops” Hood, a 72-year-old Preston resident missing for almost a month. Hood, a Navy veteran with dementia, was found deceased during a volunteer-led search, finally giving his family and the local community some closure.

The discovery draws attention to the tough realities of missing persons cases involving vulnerable elders in Connecticut. Residents and volunteer groups worked tirelessly to help in this critical situation.

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Discovery in Preston Marks End of Month-Long Search

On Saturday afternoon, Connecticut State Police said they’d found Henry “Pops” Hood’s remains near Linda Court and Ross Road in Preston. That wooded area, right next to residential neighborhoods, became the final scene in a case that had gripped the community for weeks.

Searchers from the volunteer group Exploring with a Mission and Hood’s daughter-in-law, Kim Boyle, discovered his body around 1 p.m. That moment ended the uncertainty surrounding his disappearance.

Hood had disappeared on October 24, leaving his home in just blue pajamas, according to Boyle. Police said his dementia made the search especially urgent and complicated.

Medical Confirmation and Ongoing Investigation

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed Hood’s identity later that day. Authorities are still looking into the cause and circumstances of his death, and they haven’t released any immediate findings to the public.

Search teams often move quickly, but figuring out the timeline and reasons behind a disappearance can take much longer.

The Human Side of a Tragic Loss

Hood’s family described him as warm and generous. His wife of 50 years and their four children remembered him as a devoted husband, father, and friend.

He spent much of his career repairing home computers before health problems forced him to retire. Born in Washington state, he served in the U.S. Navy—a part of his life he was always proud of.

Family members worried deeply throughout the search. That kind of anxiety is all too familiar to Connecticut residents who’ve faced emergencies involving loved ones with cognitive impairments.

Communities across the state—from Norwich to New London, Groton to East Lyme—know the pain these cases bring.

Volunteer Groups Make a Difference

The effort that led to Hood’s discovery shows just how crucial volunteer organizations like Exploring with a Mission are. Working with local families, these groups bring manpower, experience, and a level of dedication that can make all the difference.

In towns like Stonington, Waterford, and Montville, local search teams often team up with police to cover more ground fast.

Lessons in Awareness and Prevention

Cases like Hood’s highlight the need for safety planning for people with dementia. More and more, Connecticut communities have invested in resources to help families, like programs offering GPS tracking devices or rapid-response networks for missing persons.

Residents might want to consider a few preventive steps:

Install safety devices around doors and windows to help prevent wandering.
Use wearable ID or GPS trackers so authorities can find someone quickly if they go missing.
Alert neighbors to a loved one’s condition so they can help if something seems off.
Join local support groups in towns such as Hartford or Bridgeport for advice and resources.

Community Response to Tragedy

When tragedy happens, Connecticut’s neighborhoods often come together. In Hood’s case, from the first reports of his disappearance to the coordinated weekend search, residents from multiple towns stepped up.

Their efforts echo other high-profile searches in the state, where teamwork between police, volunteers, and families has become a real hallmark of how communities respond.

Final Thoughts

Henry “Pops” Hood’s story really hits hard. It shows just how quickly a vulnerable person can vanish, and how much it shakes a community when someone disappears.

From Preston’s close-knit streets to the wider web of volunteers across Connecticut, people felt the loss. The search for Hood might be over, but folks are still talking about the need for better prevention.

Investigations are still happening. Residents in towns like Stamford and Middletown can’t help but feel the need for more compassion and watchfulness.

When crisis strikes, Connecticut’s collective heart steps up. Even if the ending isn’t what anyone hoped for, people come together—and that matters.

Here is the source article for this story: Preston man missing for 4 weeks found dead during volunteer search, state police say

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