TYLER, TEXAS (KETK) – A year has passed since Harley Morris’ disappearance, and despite the tireless efforts of his family and authorities, they are no closer to finding him than they were when he first went missing.
“I desperately want to find my son. I’m terrified of what I am going to find because this is so out of character,” Harley’s mother, Wendi Attaway Morris, said in the early days of his disappearance. “We’re not sure if he’s hurt, if he’s in his right mind, or what’s going on. He doesn’t do drugs.”
Harley was last seen on January 21, 2024. Three days later, the Tyler Police Department issued a missing person report. The department followed up with two additional requests for residents and businesses north of Gentry Parkway to North Loop 323 to review cameras or door on the day he went missing for any signs of Harley.
They also asked the community to check their property for items Harley was known to be wearing at the time of his disappearance: a Prime 102 cap, black shoes, and a black/grey hoodie.
In an effort to aid the investigation, a Facebook group was created where community members pieced together a timeline of Harley’s final known hours.
Wendi has been grateful for the support of loved ones who have rallied around her and her husband, Bill Morris. A prayer vigil was held in the days following his disappearance, drawing friends, family, and strangers to show solidarity. One of those attendees was FedEx worker Leon Merrill, who had never met the family but was moved to pray for them.
“He never met me before and said everything that was in my heart that I felt and wanted to say but didn’t know how,” Wendi said.
In February, Tyler Police Department’s Public Information Officer Andy Erbaugh provided an update, saying, “Our detectives are following every lead that comes in. Just this past weekend, they investigated a tip, but unfortunately, it didn’t pan out.” He added that game wardens assisted in the search efforts.
Harley was added to the NamUs database by the police department. The database serves as a national resource hub for law enforcement and medical examiners, while also offering public access to help families search for missing loved ones.
Previous Coverage:
- Family offering up to $10k reward in search for missing Tyler man
- ‘I want to find my son’: Search continues for missing Tyler man
- Tyler community gathers in prayer for missing 29-year-old’s return
- ‘With every passing day it just seems to be harder’: Search for Tyler man last seen 1 month ago continues
- UPDATE: Man comes forward with possible Harley Morris sighting after 6 months
Months have passed without significant new leads, though a supposed sighting of Harley earlier this year proved unfruitful. Now, Wendi continues to implore anyone who may know something to come forward.
“This year has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever lived through,” Wendi said. “I will never give up looking for him.”
On Sunday, Harley’s family took to the streets of downtown Tyler, distributing posters and ensuring that people would not forget his name.
“If all these people know his name, there’s got to be somebody out there who knows something,” said Harley’s brother, Taylor Attaway. “Just the hope that we bring my brother home, one way or another, that someone speaks up—just gives us some kind of clue as to where he may be.”
As the search continues, Wendi has now urged volunteers to bring metal detectors to the search area. “At this point, we’re looking for remains,” she said. “Harley had a bullet lodged in his hip from a previous incident that couldn’t be removed.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tyler Police Department at 903-531-1000 or Crimestoppers at 903-597-2833.
To Harley, Wendi offers this plea: “If you’re out there and you see this, know that we are never going to stop looking for you. We love you so much. Please, keep faith. If you’re alive, please, please come home.”
