BELTON, Texas — A Belton man who was reported missing on March 9 has been found dead, according to the Belton Police Department.
Family, police and community members had been searching for 79-year-old Rogelio Arias since March 9, when he reportedly walked away from his family's home on Muelhause Street in Belton, Texas.
Shortly before 8 p.m. on Friday, March 22, The City of Belton announced that Arias' body had been found along the bank of the Leon River.
"It is with a heavy heart that I share that the search for Rogelio Arias has concluded," said Chief Larry Berg in a statement. "While searching the Leon River today by kayak, Belton Police Department detectives found Rogelio’s body on the bank of the river, north of Taylors Valley Road. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Police said Arias' body was found around 2:30 p.m.
"I just felt like everything just collapsed on top of me," daughter-in-law, Esbeida Martinez, said. "It's not what I expected."
Belton Police said they had conducted aerial searches using a drone, searched nearby bodies of water by kayak, canvassed "miles of fields and dense overgrowth by foot" and conducted K9 searches in the area where Arias was last seen.
As the family continues to grieve, they say details surrounding the discovery are fuzzy. However, they do believe Arias somehow got stuck in the river because he had scratches from what appeared to be wiring all over his ankles.
What's left for the family are pictures and memories.
"He was always happy," Martinez said. "You know, he always had a smile. He never complained about being in pain or anything like that."
Looking back, his grandson, Alex Arias, will never forget their trip to Mexico.
"I got a stomach virus," he told 6 News. "My family was going out to travel and see the city. My grandpa was like I'll stay behind. I'll watch you, so he stayed behind. He took care of me and he used to walk me to go get ice cream and you know I just have really good memories with him."
It's an ending no one expected, but the family is thankful for all the support from Central Texans.
"I have to thank every single one of them," Martinez said. "Prayers, donations, searching, taking their time just to hang up flyers, to stop at a gas station, drive-thru. It was just God's plan. He brought a whole community together."
In spite of this hardship, they believe they can make it through.
"With this, we have to learn something and that something is that we have each other's back," Martinez added. "Don't ever hesitate to ask for help. Don't stay by yourself. We have a whole community and this community is wonderful."
The Belton Police Department offered their condolences to Arias' family and loved ones. No further information is available at this time.
Arias' family said he suffered from dementia and did not speak English.
Previous coverage of the search for Arias can be found at this link or on KCENTV.com.
The full release from the City of Belton can be found at this link.
A GoFundMe to help with the cost of funeral expenses can be found here.
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