Kathrine Frich
The family lived decades without answers
Now, a fresh look at old evidence has finally brought clarity to one of the state’s longest-running missing persons cases.
The breakthrough came more than half a century after the boy was last seen.
A teenage disappearance
Norman Prater was reported missing to the Dallas Police Department on January 14, 1973. He was 16 years old and had last been seen walking with friends in East Dallas.
Later that year, authorities investigated whether his disappearance could be linked to the death of an unidentified white male who was killed in a hit-and-run on Highway 35 in Rockport in July 1973.
At the time, police determined the cases were unrelated, and the victim remained unidentified for decades.
A cold trail
For more than 50 years, neither case moved forward. Prater’s fate remained unknown, while the identity of the hit-and-run victim was never established.
In recent years, investigators decided to re-examine the files.
According to police, they were able to identify a possible connection between the two incidents that had previously been dismissed as separate.
A crucial image
The turning point came in late 2025, when the Aransas County Medical Examiner’s Office uncovered a new photograph of the unidentified victim.
The image was shared with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and eventually reached Dallas Police detective Ryan Dalby.
Dalby reviewed the material and established a match between the 1973 hit-and-run victim and Norman Prater.
With no DNA or fingerprint records available, investigators said the photograph proved decisive.
Family confirmation
Dalby then located Isaac Prater, Norman’s father, who was able to identify his missing son.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux 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,” he added.
Long-awaited closure
In a statement, the Dallas Police Department said:
“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 department added.
Sources: Dallas Police Department, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
