Authorities in Newton County, Texas, are currently investigating a potential connection between recently discovered human remains and the case of a man missing since 2022. Joshua Larkin, 38, was last seen on 17 November 2022, after informing his mother he was heading out to go hunting with friends.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/joshua-larkin-092926-25806dcd8d2946f0a4456520c451983e.jpg)
The search for Larkin intensified when his locked vehicle, along with personal belongings, was located less than 24 hours after his disappearance. The unsettling circumstances of his vanishing have left his family and local community deeply concerned and searching for answers.
On 24 September 2023, human remains were discovered in a wooded area off FM 82, near the Wildlife Cat Refuge, prompting an immediate response from local law enforcement. The area where the remains were found is significant; it is reportedly the same location where Larkin said he would be meeting his friends. Preliminary assessments conducted by officers from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office indicated that the remains could belong to an adult. However, investigators have not publicly confirmed whether they belong to Larkin.
The discovery of these remains has reignited interest and concern over Larkin’s case. Officials from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office have stated that samples will be sent to the University of North Texas for DNA analysis to establish the identity of the remains. The community remains on edge as they await further developments.
Larkin’s disappearance has already seen a complex legal saga unfold. In connection with his case, four individuals were arrested by authorities. The suspects, Justin Taylor James and Johnathan “Cody” Bierhalter, faced serious charges of murder and tampering with evidence related to Larkin’s presumed death. Meanwhile, two other suspects, Rodney Allen Blankenship and James Alex Jones, were charged solely with tampering with evidence. In a subsequent development in July 2026, a fifth suspect, Hank James Jones, was also apprehended on similar charges.
However, as of recently reported developments in November 2025, the murder charges against James and Bierhalter were dismissed. The decision to drop the charges was attributed to a lack of physical evidence linking them to Larkin’s disappearance. This news has left many local residents and Larkin’s family feeling frustrated and disheartened, as the investigation remains open and ongoing.
The search for Larkin has drawn support from various organisations, including Equusearch, a Texas-based nonprofit dedicated to helping families locate missing persons. The absence of concrete answers and evidence has raised questions about the progress of the investigation and the individuals involved. Community members and volunteers continue to rally around Larkin’s family, offering support as they endure this challenging time.
Family and friends are urging anyone with information regarding Larkin’s whereabouts or any details related to the case to come forward. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has encouraged individuals with knowledge about the investigation to contact them directly on their hotline at 409-379-3636.
As the investigation unfolds and authorities await the results of the DNA analysis, Larkin’s family holds onto hope for closure and justice. The human remains found may yet provide the answers they seek, as the case continues to capture the attention of the local community and beyond.