Francis Alward Death – 80-year-old Francis Alward, who was reported missing in Pickens, South Carolina on June 29, 2022, has been found dead. Francis Alward’s body was discovered at approximately 9:15 PM on July 7th, 2022 in Pickens County near the scene of a manhunt for a missing man.
Pickens County Sheriff’s Office deputies found the body of a man in the 3100 block of Pumpkintown Hwy, about 8/10 of a mile from Francis Alward’s home, where he was last seen on June 29, 2022. Sheriff’s deputies arrived and searched the property, finding the body of Francis Alward in a large wooded area behind the house. Several hundred yards away from the occupied vacation rental home, the body was discovered along a creek bed in the woods.
“The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank first responders from all over the Upstate and Foothills Search and Rescue members, who have worked tirelessly to locate Mr. Alward,” the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook Friday afternoon. “In addition, we greatly appreciate the public outreach for support in the search for Mr. Alward. Most importantly, we ask the community to continue praying for the Alward family during this difficult time.”
A short time later, according to the reports, authorities discovered the body of a man along a creek bed in the woods behind the vacation rental home that was located several hundred yards away.
“We would also like to thank Pickens First Baptist Church and Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville, SC as well as the many volunteers and friends who have supported us in countless ways. Every one of your kind gestures, prayers, words of encouragement, or efforts toward the search has helped us endure all of this with positivity knowing that our family will get through this.”
