DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — A Dothan woman, Angela Newson, is searching for answers regarding the disappearance of her brother, Curtis Bighems, who has been missing for over a month.
Newson told WDNews that Bighems, 57, voluntarily entered Hill Hospital in York, Ala., for alcohol detox. Intake was completed on a Friday, but by Sunday morning, he had vanished. According to Newson, the hospital informed her that Bighems had not signed a release to leave, though that was allowed. His belongings were reportedly left behind.
“Me and my brother are really close, and I’ve not heard from him in a month, nor has his family or his grown children,” Newson said.
Bighems, a military veteran who served 20 years, was also being supported by his probation officer, Jeremy Davis, from the Coffee County Field Office. Davis, who oversees Bighems’ probation originating in Georgia, was working to get him into a Veterans Affairs program.
“With 20 years in the military, I was in the process of getting him in a Veterans Affairs Program,” Davis shared.
Davis confirmed that Hill Hospital provided its own transportation to bring Bighems to York from Enterprise.
“He was a willing participant in going to detox,” Davis said, adding that Bighems had arrived under the influence of alcohol but agreed to seek help after discussions.
On December 13, Newson and Bighems’ wife traveled to York and filed a missing person report with the York Police Department. Newson said her brother went outside for a cigarette before breakfast and never returned.
The family remains deeply concerned for Bighems’ safety and is asking the community for help. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to contact local authorities.
