By Scott Harper
sharper@gtowntimes.com
Thanksgiving weekends are supposed to be a time of family fun and good cheer. But for Joseph Hughes and his family, the holiday has not been the same since 2003.
That’s the year — on Thanksgiving Day — his brother, Garrett (Gary) Hughes, disappeared after walking away from the Manor House, a now defunct nursing home that was in the Kensington community.
The five years that have passed since Garrett Hughes vanished have allowed his brother to accept the fact that he is probably no longer alive but it does not lessen the pain.
Garrett Hughes, who was 44 years old in 2003, reportedly left the Manor House at around 11 a.m. that day.
According to Joe, Gary suffered a mental disability and short-term memory loss. He was also on medication for seizures and other health problems.
Joe said his brother suffered two blows to the head when he was about 30 and had not been able to remember things since then.
For example, while living in Georgetown, Gary told people that he lives in North Carolina, Joe said.
Searches in late 2003 consisted of officers and Winyah Rescue Squad members on foot, ATVs, sheriff’s bloodhounds, airplanes and helicopters.
Reports of possible sightings came from as far away as Brunswick, N.C., where one woman reported she saw Gary several days after he went missing.
Gary is originally from Fayetteville, N.C. His family transferred him to Georgetown about six years ago.
Joe Hughes says he knows there are no more searches taking place for his brother.
“I am sure the police follow any leads they may get. If any bodies are found that match his age and description, I know they check to see if it’s my brother,” he said.
Hughes said each time the holiday season rolls around “it brings up so many old feelings, so it’s not the same.”
When asked what he thinks happened to his brother, Hughes said he believes one of the former Manor House residents is responsible although he would not give the person’s name.
“He had to be driven off because he was in no shape to walk very far. They had a part-time resident there who had a car but they would not let him bring it on the premises. He kept the car at his girlfriend’s house,” Hughes said.
He said both that man and his girlfriend were questioned by investigators and they both had different stories about how they spent Thanksgiving.
Hughes also said on the Sunday after the disappearance, Winyah Rescue officials requested a helicopter from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
“(Sheriff) Lane Cribb called (SLED) and said his office was handling the investigation and a helicopter was not needed,” Hughes recalled. He said his brother had been missing a week before a helicopter was used.
He also said he feels his brother may have been located if an Amber Alert had been issued the day he went missing.
: 12/3/2008
That's our Sherrif's Dept.
: 12/3/2008
This is a sad story. The Manor House should be held responsible for this. But what can be done....? The Manor House has since closed and everyone has disappeared. Odd huh? Joseph is a great person and loved his brother very much and took good care of him. Shame on the Manor House for not standing up and helping aid this investigation......