Missing Durham man's family keeps hope alive

Durham police continue to look for 76-year-old John Henry Cheatham. He was reported missing on August 7 from his Casa Street home.

Posted 11:16 p.m. Aug 16, 2009 — Updated 2:59 a.m. Aug 17, 2009

DURHAM, N.C. — Durham police continue to look for 76-year-old John Henry Cheatham. He was reported missing on August 7 from his Casa Street home.

Cheatham suffers from Alzheimer's disease, his wife of nearly 60 years said Sunday. Connie Cheatham said since her husband cannot move well, she thinks he couldn't have gone far.

"I believe someone picked him up, or he got in someone's car," she said.

Ray Charles, Cheatham's nephew, said he has looked all around for his missing uncle.

"It is hard. Each and every day, it is hard," Charles said.

Charles said Cheatham, an Army veteran, had wandered away before but was always found nearby.

A Silver Alert, which quickly notifies the public about missing endangered adults, remains in effect for Cheatham.

Durham police spokeswoman Kammie Michael said officers have used bloodhounds, posted fliers and conducted community searches in the Casa Street area since Cheatham's disappearance.

"I am waiting. I am hoping, and I am waiting," Charles said.

Cheatham's wife said he didn't have identification or money with him when he wandered off.

Cheatham is described as a black man, 5 foot 7 inches tall and 180 pounds. He has black and gray, short hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray T-shirt with “ARMY” on the front, khaki pants, a black baseball cap with “ARMY” on it and khaki athletic shoes.

Anyone with information about Cheatham is asked to call the Durham Police Department at 919-560-4427 or 911.

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