The case of a teenager who went missing over 50 years ago has been solved with the discovery of a new photograph of the victim.
Norman Prater, 16 at the time, disappeared after he was last seen walking with friends on January 14, 1973. On July 9 of that year, an unidentified white male was involved in a hit-and-run incident, initially thought to be unrelated to Prater’s disappearance.
After 52 years, detectives revisited the case and found a potential link between the two incidents. A new photo of the unidentified victim was crucial in this breakthrough.
Authorities from the Dallas Police Department connected Prater’s last sighting in East Dallas with the hit-and-run incident on Highway 35 in Rockport, Texas, 386 miles away. Through collaboration with various agencies, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the victim was identified as Norman Prater by his brother, Issac Prater.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux praised the dedication of Detective Ryan Dalby in solving the long-standing case and providing closure to the Prater family.
The resolution of this case after five decades brings closure to the family and showcases the perseverance of law enforcement in seeking justice and providing answers to families of missing persons.
The Dallas Police Department expressed condolences to the Prater family and highlighted the importance of interagency cooperation in achieving this resolution.
According to the US National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, there are numerous open missing persons and unidentified persons cases in the state of Texas, emphasizing the ongoing need for resolution and closure in such cases.