Found Deceased AR - Alan Buckels Sr, 63, Little Rock, vehicle found w/ groceries, 18 Dec 2020

[omgtjhappened]

But why would he go into the water with groceries in the car?

That’s what us and the family wanna know.

 

[Killie65]

Why did they wait 18 days? That's crazy!

Yeah, it is crazy. Especially since we have a local group (American Scent Dog Association) who could have deployed on day 1 of missing persons report being filed. I think a big part of the delay was due to the fact that this poor guy is just a working class dude of no real importance (except to his family!) who went missing around the holidays when everyone was taking time off work. The press didn't bother to even cover it until 10 days missing and enough of us started really harassing all the stations to report on it. At one point early on the family didn't get a phone call back from the detective for 6 days! How does that happen when there is a missing person concerned?!? Oh right....small town America. Scary.

 

[Killie65]

 

[Killie65]

This is interesting. Did JR's mom spend a lot of time there or just Jr. Why put a memorial to his Mom there if it wasn't an important place to her.
Maybe Senior decided to drive by and see the memorial to his late wife.
How close is the memorial to where he parked? I'd like to see a pic of it if possible. Also, is the memorial close to the water?
Maybe he was down and out.
This I nothing of much importance but I was surprised (by looking at the still photo) that Senior wasn't wearing a ball cap...and that he had dark hair.

I need to double check but don't believe the park was especially important to the deceased mom. She collected driftwood though and Jr. has taken to doing the same thing; Murray Park has a lot of accessible shoreline and Jr. has enjoyed fishing, meditating, just hanging out on general down at that area. He called it his "happy place" and said he always has been drawn to the river. It is absolutely no coincidence that the van was discovered there. I have attached a pic of the aerial view of the parking lot where the van was found; Jr. put a red dot in the wrong area...the van was actually parked in a space more in the very center of the left hand side of that back lot & was pointed toward the river. Quite a view from that spot I must say. Beautiful vista of Pinnacle Mountain to the left and the expansive Big Dam Bridge. A good spot to sit and just consider life, in my opinion. Interesting to note that the van's ashtray was loaded with cigarette butts, despite Alan Sr. having quit smoking back in 2008 or something like that. And before you ask, yes, they were his brand: Winston Lights.

The makeshift memorial to Jr.'s mom is down by the dilapidated dock which can be seen right next to the "5900 Rebsamen Park Road Parking" text on the attached image. I asked Jr. if his dad would have gone there because of that, but he said he wasn't sure if his dad even knew that he had put a little memorial there for mom. From what I understand the mom had walked out of their lives when Jr. was little, but it is interesting that the parents were married at a park pavilion down there, just a bit upstream...the pavilion closest to the Big Dam Bridge.

I don't understand the ball cap remark. His hair looks darker in the Edward's pic, not sure why. His other pics show his hair more salt n pepper like.

 

[Killie65]

I can't recall if this particular pic was posted already, but it shows the van as photographed by a dog walker at Murray Park at noon on Saturday 12/19, the day after Mr. Buckels went missing but 3 days before he was reported missing & his van was discovered.

As well I have included a screenshot from video of the Jan. 4th scent dog search, just so you can see the distance of the bridge...guessing 3/4 mile or so upstream.

 

[Killie65]

Please see my comment to your post right above this about the son's memorial to his Mom.
Also, I wasn't totally joking about the fish tacos. It's a popular alternative to ground beef.

Yeah, I love fish tacos! Hard to read tone in post at times. I thought it was maybe said in partial jest given the location and the fact someone mentioned he had gone to buy stuff for tacos. His purchase at Edward's, for those interested, included just 3 items: shredded lettuce, ground beef, & hotdogs.

 

[Killie65]

That’s what us and the family wanna know.

Hey @omgtjhappened, I am curious what makes you think suicide as likely explanation? I know you mentioned it and I lean that way as well, but I didn't know Alan Sr. Since you had interactions with him I'm curious why you lean that way? Anything specific?

 

[Razz]

I need to double check but don't believe the park was especially important to the deceased mom. She collected driftwood though and Jr. has taken to doing the same thing; Murray Park has a lot of accessible shoreline and Jr. has enjoyed fishing, meditating, just hanging out on general down at that area. He called it his "happy place" and said he always has been drawn to the river. It is absolutely no coincidence that the van was discovered there. I have attached a pic of the aerial view of the parking lot where the van was found; Jr. put a red dot in the wrong area...the van was actually parked in a space more in the very center of the left hand side of that back lot & was pointed toward the river. Quite a view from that spot I must say. Beautiful vista of Pinnacle Mountain to the left and the expansive Big Dam Bridge. A good spot to sit and just consider life, in my opinion. Interesting to note that the van's ashtray was loaded with cigarette butts, despite Alan Sr. having quit smoking back in 2008 or something like that. And before you ask, yes, they were his brand: Winston Lights.

The makeshift memorial to Jr.'s mom is down by the dilapidated dock which can be seen right next to the "5900 Rebsamen Park Road Parking" text on the attached image. I asked Jr. if his dad would have gone there because of that, but he said he wasn't sure if his dad even knew that he had put a little memorial there for mom. From what I understand the mom had walked out of their lives when Jr. was little, but it is interesting that the parents were married at a park pavilion down there, just a bit upstream...the pavilion closest to the Big Dam Bridge.

I don't understand the ball cap remark. His hair looks darker in the Edward's pic, not sure why. His other pics show his hair more salt n pepper like.

How long ago did JR's mom walk away from the family? If he was young when she left, it surprises me that he would build a monument to her.

The cigarette butts is very concerning.
Sr. appears to have been troubled if he'd quit smoking and then all of a sudden his truck ashtray was loaded with discarded butts.

Sr. appeared (in the last picture shown) that he took care of himself physically. Made me think there may have been a woman in his life.

 

[Killie65]

How long ago did JR's mom walk away from the family? If he was young when she left, it surprises me that he would build a monument to her.

The cigarette butts is very concerning.
Sr. appears to have been troubled if he'd quit smoking and then all of a sudden his truck ashtray was loaded with discarded butts.

Sr. appeared (in the last picture shown) that he took care of himself physically. Made me think there may have been a woman in his life.

I will have to double check with family as to the exact year, but Alan Jr. is 38 and I was told his mom left when he was just a young boy (i.e., under age 10). I was told the mom had various problems and remarried multiple times after divorcing Alan Sr. Despite his mom walking out on them, Alan Jr. still held his mom up on a pedestal and maintained a relationship with her. She passed away from cancer in 2005, and he was with her as she took her final breath.

According to family members, Alan Sr. was so adversely affected by Jr.'s mom walking out that he never had another relationship. When I asked Jr. if his dad had any love interests or had been on any online dating sites, he said he had never known his dad to even go out on a date after his folks split. His phone records don't appear to have revealed any secret love interests or online dating, and nobody in the family suspects he ran off with a woman. His bank account had no activity after 12/16 and he owned no credit cards.

 

[omgtjhappened]

Hey @omgtjhappened, I am curious what makes you think suicide as likely explanation? I know you mentioned it and I lean that way as well, but I didn't know Alan Sr. Since you had interactions with him I'm curious why you lean that way? Anything specific?

 

[omgtjhappened]

Even though he was a happy go lucky man he did play pranks (some morbid) and from my brothers interactions with him (sleepovers and what not) my brother thought he might (suicide) but he also said it didn’t make sense that he would do that cause of water. I’m surprised by the comment AS didn’t know Sandra’s memorial since they were best friends. She didn’t walk out on them they broke up and coparented. I grew up knowing both of his parents. Sandy and AS used to go to the bar and play darts together. I remember going to the river with AJ but never AS.

 

[Killie65]

Even though he was a happy go lucky man he did play pranks (some morbid) and from my brothers interactions with him (sleepovers and what not) my brother thought he might (suicide) but he also said it didn’t make sense that he would do that cause of water. I’m surprised by the comment AS didn’t know Sandra’s memorial since they were best friends. She didn’t walk out on them they broke up and coparented. I grew up knowing both of his parents. Sandy and AS used to go to the bar and play darts together. I remember going to the river with AJ but never AS.

How interesting to hear your perspective on things. Family members told me that the mom left & had different troubles. They made it sound like AS really had a hard time of it and never dated again as a result. AJ told me he never knew his dad to ever have had a relationship other than with his mom. It isn't clear to me how involved the mom was in AJ's life, but he clearly loves her and rings in every new year's eve as her graveside. That was so touching and very sad to learn. I asked AJ if his dad knew about the makeshift memorial for his mom down by Murray Park dock, and he said he wasn't sure but I will ask him again. Curious to hear what kind of pranks he pulled...especially what do you mean by morbid?

 

[Gigi3]

Thanks to all of you sharing information about this man. It seems he was a great person, but I have to wonder if maybe he was battling demons of his own that no one knew about?

I check his thread often hoping that he will be found. I pray his family finds answers soon.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Sounds like a medical episode (whether physical or psychological). I hope he'll be found safe, though the water is so concerning.

 

[mlhenn]

I just came across this while reading local news.
I’m not too sure of the exact location in reference to where Alan’s van was found at Murray’s Park.

Investigation underway after body found in Murray Lock and Dam

A body was recovered from the Murray Lock and Dam Tuesday evening, according to a Twitter post by the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said the body has not been identified at this time. No other information has been released, the investigation is ongoing.



Murray Lock and Dam
Google Maps

 

[PommyMommy]

I just came across this while reading local news.
I’m not too sure of the exact location in reference to where Alan’s van was found at Murray’s Park.

Investigation underway after body found in Murray Lock and Dam

A body was recovered from the Murray Lock and Dam Tuesday evening, according to a Twitter post by the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said the body has not been identified at this time. No other information has been released, the investigation is ongoing.

Murray Lock and Dam
Google Maps

Oh no.

It is about a mile and 1/2 from the Dam to Murray Park.

Murray Park to Murray Lock and Dam, Little Rock, AR - Google Maps

 

[Luckyzmom]

Damn

 

[minneolo]

Seems they have confirmed the body found was male.

Man's body found in Arkansas River near bridge

 

[Luckyzmom]

Prayers for Alan and his family. So sad ...

 

[kiwijayne]

Sounds like a medical episode (whether physical or psychological). I hope he'll be found safe, though the water is so concerning.

I was thinking that too. Maybe he went for a walk near the river and had a medical event, fell in and drowned.