Search For Missing Son Continues One Year Later

One year ago, 37-year-old Stephen Hamshire went for a walk never came home. His parents are still trying to find their autistic son.

The last time Stephen's parents saw their beloved son, he was walking out the door of their Silsbee home. His mother reminded him to not be gone long.

His dinner was almost ready.

"It's been a nightmare I guarantee you. Worst thing you can possibly think of in your life," said his father Doug.

In the first days after his disappearance, Stephen's family, Silsbee police, and Texas Equusearch volunteers combed the area.

Dogs were able to track Stephen to Highway 327 near the Village Creek Bridge.

Volunteers searched the woods and creeks using helicopters, infrared, and ATV's, but the trail turned cold.

"No body in the woods so we think he is still with us and we want him back," said Doug.

He said his son needs to come home. He's autistic and mentally retarded.

He says Stephen needs his medication and his family who loves him. Doug said, "He loved his mom, I mean he was her world. My world."

Doug says while his son has mental disabilities he's highly functional.

"That means he can do some things very exceptional then other things he can't do like tell time or make change, but he can tell you the difference between the dinosaurs."

"He loved electronics stuff, movies, he could tell you all the stars name. Music any kind of music classical jazz rock n roll and country," said Doug.

Since his son's disappearance, Doug says there's been no birthdays, holidays, or celebrations.

"I couldn't stand up to that. We kind of let the holiday's just go," he said.

He says the family just waits hoping and praying for word of their son's safe return. Doug says he has a message for anyone who might know where is son is.

"We hope you are taking care of him and send him home," he said.

Doug says the day his boy comes home he's planning to throw a big party. He says then, and only then, will it be time to celebrate.

Since Hamshire's disappearance there have been several people who've claimed to see him, but none of those leads have panned out.

If you've seen Stephen Hamshire, call the Silsbee Police Department. You may be eligible for a cash reward.