Body found near Paluxy, Shiloh believed to be that of missing Tyler man

Dec. 02--A body found Friday in a Tyler drainage area is believed to be that of a 32-year-old Tyler man, who went missing in late October.

Brandon Harward was last seen walking west on Shiloh Road about 2 p.m.Oct. 23. He left his apartment on that same road without any of his belongings including his bicycle, wallet, phone and keys. Harward was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, which is an autism spectrum disorder.

On Friday, Madi Miller, who identified herself as Harward's sister, posted the following on a Facebook page created after Harward went missing: "We have reason to believe that Brandon's body has been found. We are waiting for the police to identify him, but he was found by a river bed close to his home.

"The police were able to show us his watch and he was wearing his same blue sweater and shoes in his pictures. We want to thank all of you for your endless prayers; they have all been felt. Your concern and kindness will never be forgotten."

Harward moved to Tyler more than three months ago and worked at Walmart on Troup Highway near Shiloh Road. He was originally from Utah.

His mother, Celeste Robison, said at the time of his disappearance, "He's not thinking because he never would have left any of those things behind. He's in breakdown mode. He's completely lost and without any money and maybe not even the knowledge of how to get home."

Police received a call shortly before 5 p.m. Friday about the body found in a drainage area near Shiloh Road and Shiloh Village Drive, according to a Tyler Police Department news release.

Investigators were called to the scene to recover the body and process the scene. The body was taken for an autopsy to determine the cause of death and identification because of the decomposition.

Investigators will wait for the preliminary results of the autopsy before releasing any information on race, sex, possible identification or cause of death, according to the news release.

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