‘It’s scary’: New reward offered in Gastonia man’s sudden disappearance

GASTONIA, N.C. — A family hopes a new $500 reward will help find a missing Gastonia man.

Tyrone Krank suddenly vanished in October. Officers with the Gastonia Police Department say Krank’s apartment door off Southside Drive was found unlocked, and all of his things were still inside. He loved the home so much that he wrote about how he was grateful in a Bible that’s still inside. Those who know and love him can’t figure out why he’s not there too.

Krank is a 63-year-old stroke survivor, and he struggles to get around without a cane. He was last seen by a home health nurse on Oct. 7.

Krank’s neighbor, Patricia Scott, says she’s looked across the street at his home every day for the past two weeks – hoping to see an indication that he’s back safe and sound. Every day, it’s been a disappointment.

“To me, it’s scary,” Scott told Channel 9′s Ken Lemon.

“I didn’t see him leave, it was just like he disappeared,” Scott said. “His house was unlocked, his phone in the house. The TV on like he is sitting there, like he is coming right back, and he never came back. Now that is weird.”

Krank’s sister found the house like that and assumed he was in another room.

“I’m talking to him thinking he’s in there, like ‘Tyrone, why you ain’t answering the door?’” said Tammy Thomas, Krank’s sister.

Thomas reported him missing. Police say they have conducted searches and followed tips, and there’s nothing leading them to Krank.

“This whole thing is just nerve-wracking to me,” Thomas told Lemon. “I can’t piece the pieces together, I don’t know what.”

She has passed out missing person fliers and worked social media, anything to bring Krank home.

“Please, please help my brother,” Thomas said.

Thomas said nightfall is worrisome because it’s cold, and she wonders if he has shelter. All she can do now is wonder.

Police have checked doorbell and security cameras nearby, and there is no indication of how or if Krank left the neighborhood.

Investigators say the case is still active, but they need someone to come forward to help close it.

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