After 17-day disappearance, Harold ‘Harry’ Marcrum’s mom says ‘My son is alive, praise God’

By Holly Dillemuth, Ashland.news

After hundreds of hours spent by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue to find an Ashland man who went missing on the Bear Creek Greenway path, the man has been found.

Harold “Harry” Marcrum, 26, returned home to his family members, according to Sgt. Shawn Richards, with Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

“Basically, he reached out to family today,” Richards told Ashland.news on Thursday afternoon. “He’s just been out and about for the last week or so.”

“I don’t really think that either we or the family could’ve done differently,” Richards added. 

“We’re just thankful that he’s OK.”

In a text exchange with Ashland.news, Marcrum’s father, Alex Marcrum, shared gratitude for Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Search and Rescue personnel and all those who searched for his son.

“Thank God for his brother who is a true super hero for his incredible drive to do right by his younger brother and pushing through,” added Alex Marcrum.

Harold’s Mom, Trish Elliott-Marcrum, who via Alex Marcrum gave Ashland.news permission to use an online statement, spoke about her son’s return on Facebook: “My son, Harry, has been found alive and relatively well. We are elated, confused, grateful, in disbelief, and overjoyed. We will now be focusing on next steps. We can never adequately thank you for all the amazing love and support and prayers. It was the only thing that kept us sane in this insanity.” 

Elliott-Marcrum said the family would appreciate privacy as they spend time with Harry. 

“When the time is right, we will update as able,” she said. “My son is alive, praise God.”

Reach Ashland.news reporter Holly Dillemuth at hollyd@ashland.news.