The family of Joshua Larkin is speaking out after investigators announced a break in the case over the weekend, renewing hope that the missing father of four may finally be brought home.
Larkin has been missing since Nov. 17, 2022. Newton County Sheriff Colton Havard said investigators discovered new evidence Saturday while executing a search warrant at a property on County Road 418, just outside Kirbyville.
The search involved the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office and Texas EquuSearch, which recently joined the effort to locate Larkin’s remains.
Investigators said new information led them back to the property, where three items were recovered and are now being tested for DNA. Those items include a pair of boots, a cell phone and a hoodie believed to match the clothing Larkin was last seen wearing.
Larkin’s sister, Sonya Green, also identified in interviews as Sonya Mason, said the call from investigators gave her renewed hope.
“We know he’s out there,” Mason said.
She described her brother as loving and devoted to his family.
“He was silly, had a great sense of humor,” Mason said. “He loved his mother. He loved his children.”
Sheriff Havard said the large-scale search began after a search warrant was obtained around 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
“We’re not going to stop until Josh is located,” Havard said. “And anybody that’s responsible, we’re going to try to put them in prison.”
Mason said the recovered items closely matched Larkin’s belongings.
“The boot was his same shoe size, a 12, and the hoodie was also his size, extra-large,” she said.
Mark Edwards, a case manager with Texas EquuSearch, said the items were found in wooded areas not far from the command center set up for the search. He said search dogs led crews to two of the three items.
Edwards said more than 50 volunteers assisted in the operation, which utilized specialized technology to guide search efforts.
“As much intel as we can get, we base our search areas on that,” Edwards said. “We make maps in advance, and we use live-tracking technology that shows us where every volunteer is.”
Last year, two men — Justin James and Jonathan Bierhalter — were arrested in connection with Larkin’s murder. Court documents also show James Alex Jones and Rodney Blankenship face charges of tampering with or fabricating evidence.
Mason said two of the suspects have ties to the property searched Saturday.
“That property is owned by Cody Bierhalter’s grandmother, and Cody’s brother is Alex,” she said.
Despite the years without answers, Mason said she remains grateful for everyone involved in the search and hopeful her family will eventually find peace.
“I pray a lot, so that helps,” she said. “But just staying hopeful — it’s all we can do.”
Jasper County Sheriff Chuck Havard said he could not disclose what specific information led investigators back to the property. Edwards said he believes Texas EquuSearch will likely return to the area as the investigation continues.
Sheriff Colton Havard says there is also a $5,000 reward for anyone with information about Joshua Larkin’s whereabouts. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
