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Missing Arkansas Teen Paul Parr II Found Dead

By Patricia Ramirez
Published on: 18:09 PST, Mar 4, 2016

In a tragic turn of events, missing Lavaca, Arkansas teen, Paul Parr II, has been found dead. The youth was reported missing on Thursday, March 3. He had last been seen at the EZ Mart in the town of Lavaca, reports NWA, where surveillance footage showed him walking from the store towards his home around 3:30 p.m. The missing Arkansas teen’s father reported him missing at about 5 p.m., and he also reported to authorities that both a handgun and ammunition were not accounted for at the home they shared.

Law enforcement reportedly followed leads throughout Thursday night, and the investigation into Paul Parr II’s disappearance continued throughout the Friday school day, with local schools assisting in the search for the missing Lavaca teen. Special attention/consideration was given to the case as Paul Parr, the missing Arkansas teen, was believed to be armed.

At this time, the cause of Paul’s death appears to be suicide, according to police, although an autopsy will be performed to rule out foul play.

When Paul Parr, who was 16-years-old, was reported missing, law enforcement was incredibly concerned about his well-being because of the missing weapon and ammo, reported Arkansas Online.

“There is concern for the safety and welfare of Parr.”

Ultimately, the search for the missing Arkansas Teen, Paul Parr, came to an abrupt end when his body was found at about 3 p.m. Friday, just under 24 hours after he was reported missing and not far from where he’d last been seen. Parr’s remains were found in a densely wooded area close to Utah Ranch Road in the Lavaca, Arkansas area. The Times Record reports that they were advised of the discovery by Lieutenant Philip Pevehouse of the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office.

Despite the fact that the case of the deceased Arkansas teen is still under investigation, officials reiterate that they believe the teen took his own life. While authorities have not released the manner in which Paul Parr is believed to have taken his life, speculation is that Parr shot himself with the stolen handgun.

Due to the nature of the disappearance, multiple agencies worked together in an attempt to find the missing teen and bring him home safely. Agencies involved in the search for Paul Parr included the Lavaca Police Department, Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office, Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Arkansas Game and Fish, and Arkansas State Police.

Search and rescue teams were also deployed and utilized in an attempt to locate the missing Arkansas teen as quickly as possible. The Arkansas State Police also used their patrol helicopter in an attempt to better facilitate the search for Parr.

Authorities had initially advised anyone who came into contact with or saw the missing teen to contact the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office or call 911 immediately. Unfortunately, despite the diligent efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies working cohesively to find the missing teen, all involved were unable to locate Paul Parr alive and bring him home safely.

Authorities expect that in the coming days, it’s possible that more details about Parr’s final moments, potentially including a motive for the teen’s apparent suicide, will become available.

Parr’s classmates are also planning a vigil for Saturday night in remembrance of the young man.

While most of those who have taken to Twitter to comment on the missing teen’s untimely death have done so in a respectful manner, at least one social media user has opted to use the tragedy to further their personal political agenda with a rather insensitive comment.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Paul Parr II, a teen who went missing in Arkansas on Thursday; the world was hoping for a happier outcome in his disappearance.

[Image via Shutterstock]

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