Smith

A Cullman man who has been missing since late April has been found alive in Texas.

Charles Steven Smith Jr. left on a trip to Mississippi around April 19 and was reported missing after family lost contact with him. He was heard from in Mississippi, but later his vehicle was discovered in New Orleans.

The New Orleans Police Department confirmed to the Cullman Police Department that Smith is alive and in the Texas coast area.

New Orleans police were investigating the case as a potential homicide after Smith’s vehicle was found with bullet holes and blood. No other information was available on the case.

“The Cullman Police Department appreciates all of the support and information provided in the efforts to locate Charles Steven Smith Jr. We also appreciate the efforts of the New Orleans Police Department in working in conjunction with our agency to locate him and bring closure to this matter. Charles Steven Smith Jr. has been located and is alive and well and his family is aware at this time,” a press release from the Cullman Police Department read.

Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper said the New Orleans Police Department had devoted a lot of time and resources to the case because of the homicide possibility.

“For us it was a missing person case so we will likely close it out from our standpoint,” Culpepper said.