Garland

Missing Garland man, possibly swept away by flash flood, found dead

Garland police conducted an extensive search of the area with both helicopters and drones

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Tragic news for a North Texas family searching for a man who was last seen near a creek in Garland before a heavy downpour. Garland police said 50-year-old Gerrad Kelley has been located and is dead.

"We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Kelley’s family during this difficult time," Garland police said in a statement released on Friday.

Stacy Simpson last saw her boyfriend near a Garland creek on June 1.

"It was sprinkling at first. Then it started coming harder. The ground was already saturated, so the culvert filled up a lot quicker,” said Simpson.

As an afternoon downpour moved in Saturday, Simpson searched for shelter nearby. She says Kelley stayed behind near Pleasant Valley Road and Shalimar Drive.

"I was there for five or 10 minutes, and I came back. That's when I got that video. The water was up higher than I've ever seen it,” she said.

It was only then that she realized while his bike and shoes remained behind, Kelley was gone.

“I just don't want to think of him out here. I just don't know where he's at,” said Simpson.

Saturday, Garland police said officers conducted an extensive search of the area with both helicopters and drones.

Days later, the creek is again quiet.  Friends helped Simpson continue the search downstream where she fears rushing water carried her partner of eight years.

“I love him so much,” she said.

Detectives are investigating the cause of death, but there were no apparent signs of foul play.

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