(CNN) – A California family has a very special reason to give thanks this week as a nonverbal man missing for 25 years has been found and will be reunited with his loved ones.
Tommy, a nonverbal man, vanished without a trace in August 1999. His family never gave up searching, and earlier this year, his sister saw a picture of someone she thought was her brother in an online article.
She contacted authorities about the man, who was brought to a Los Angeles County hospital on April 15. He was confirmed to be Tommy through fingerprint analysis.
The Nor-Cal Alliance for the Missing is calling this “a long-awaited and miraculous reunion.”
“Tommy’s return proves that miracles can happen,” said the organization in a press release. “To Tommy’s family, your courage and perseverance inspire us all. Today, we celebrate a reunion 25 years in the making—a moment that brings light to the darkest of times.”
The organization says Tommy will soon be reunited with his family.
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