NEWTON, Texas — Newton County deputies say they are still actively investigating the disappearance of a Newton County man more than a year after he did not return home from hunting.
Joshua Ian Larkin, 39, went hunting at the Exotic Cat Refuge near Kirbyville on Nov. 17, 2022 and never returned according to a news release from the Newton County Sheriff's Office.
Larkin is six feet tall, weighs about 180 pounds and has short brown hair and green eyes, according to the release.
His mother, who last saw him the morning he left to go hunting, reported him missing when he did not return according to the sheriff's office.
Deputies learned 36 hours after he had been reported missing that his car had been left at the refuge and that his mother picked up the car according to the release.
They spoke to everyone who had been reported to have been at the refuge when Larkin was last seen there the release said.
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Deputies say that there's someone out there who knows what happened to Larkin and they're asking them to come forward according to the release.
They also say that if someone they have already spoken with has more information that now is the time to come in and speak to investigators again.
Investigators are still working the case as an active case and do not consider it to be a cold case the release said.
Anyone who saw Larkin on, or before, Nov. 17, 2022, in the area of Kirbyville or Jasper and Newton County is asked to help bring closure to the case by contacting the Newton County Sheriff's Office at (409) 379-3636 or 379-3637 according to the release.
Deputies have searched several locations in the past year based on tips and made "numerous" searches using blood hounds and cadaver dogs but have not found Larkin the release said.
They have also spoken to many of Larkin's friends and acquaintances about the circumstances that led to him being reported missing.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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