HOUSTON – Houston Police have spent the past two days searching a property in west Houston in connection to a missing persons investigation.
Police and Texas EquuSearch have been working in the 1700 block of Elmview Drive following a lead. It’s not clear what led them to the home.
According to HPD, the person was only recently reported missing, but could have been missing for as long as 10 years.
“I’ve seen EquuSearch for the last couple of days and just kind of concerned because like I said, I grew up on the street across from here,” longtime neighbor Jeanne Pena said. “It’s kind of scary. I hope they find what they’re looking for and we find out what’s really going on.”
KPRC 2’s cameras captured heavy machinery turning up the backyard of the vacant home as the sun set on Tuesday evening.
Volunteers with EquuSearch then helped police dig and rake through piles of dirt. At one point, the volunteers appeared to put some of their findings in a black plastic bag before hauling it out of sight.
The property owner told KPRC 2 the home has been vacant for years and she gave police permission to search the property and do what they needed but she declined to provide any more details.
Pena said she hasn’t seen anyone at the home in at least eight years. Property records show it has had the same owner since at least 2019.
EquuSearch volunteers also spent several minutes inside the home, which has a torn up roof and gated driveway.
Details on the missing person are currently limited.
Investigators wrapped up for the night when it got dark Tuesday, but KPRC 2 has learned they plan to be back Wednesday to continue searching and digging on the property.