Texas authorities solve state's oldest missing persons case after teen last seen with friends vanished 52 years ago

Authorities in Texas have solved a missing persons cold case more than 50 years after the individual was last seen with friends in East Dallas.

It was back on January 14, 1973, when Norman Prater was reported missing to the Dallas Police Department (DPD). The 16-year-old was last seen walking with his pals.

Texan officials believed they made a breakthrough in July of that year after an 'unidentified white male was killed in a hit-and-run incident' on Highway 35 in the city of Rockport. However, they ultimately concluded that the two cases were unrelated, though the body of that victim remained unidentified for 52 years.

In recent times, police have re-examined the case, and they've reportedly been 'able to establish a potential link between the two seemingly separate incidents'.

Norman Prater was last seen in East Dallas (YouTube/FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth)

Aransas County Medical Examiner’s Office discovered a new photo of the unidentified body and passed it onto the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in late 2025. That crucial piece of evidence ended up on Detective Ryan Dalby's desk. Dalby, a veteran of the force who worked on solving the cold case, eventually established a match between the unidentified 1973 hit-and-run victim and the missing Prater.

The detective was then able to locate Isaac Prater, the victim's father, who was able to identify the missing person.

With no DNA evidence or fingerprint data available to compare, experts note that the newly-released photo was crucial to solving the case.

Daniel Comeaux, Dallas' police chief, said: "This resolution stands as a testament to the Dallas Police Department's commitment to the cases we pursue and the families we serve, no matter how much time has passed.

"Detective Dalby's dedication, skill, and compassion have not only solved a historical case but have performed the most vital duty of our Missing Persons Unit: providing closure to a grieving family."

The teenager was last seen in 1972 (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

The press release from the Dallas Police Department added: "After 50 years of uncertainty, Mr. Isaac Prater has now received answers regarding his brother’s disappearance.

"This case exemplifies the enduring mission of law enforcement to seek justice and bring solace to families, unifying them with truth and closure.

"The Dallas Police Department extends its deepest sympathies to the Prater family and commends the interagency cooperation and investigative perseverance that made this resolution possible."

You can read more on this case with the investigation being documented on case number 186504-2025.