A Community’s Hope Turns to Heartbreak

For weeks, the town of Preston, Connecticut, held onto hope—hope that 72-year-old Henry “Pops” Hood would be found safe, hope that the prayers whispered across porches and living rooms would guide him home, and hope that the search launched on October 24 would end with a miracle. Pops, as he was affectionately known, wasn’t just a missing person—he was a familiar face, a gentle presence, a man who meant something to the people who lived alongside him. His disappearance sparked concern that quickly grew into a community-wide mission. Neighbors, friends, and volunteers flooded the woods, fields, and backroads of Preston, determined to bring him back to the people who loved him.

That hope, however, met a heartbreaking end over the weekend, when volunteers discovered his body in a wooded area near Linda Court and Ross Road. The news spread quietly at first—like a whisper carried through the town—before settling into the heavy silence that grief so often brings.

Remembering “Pops” and the Kindness He Leaves Behind

Henry Hood was known as a man with a soft laugh, a warm handshake, and a gentle way of reminding people what truly mattered. To many, he was more than a neighbor—he was a friend, a steady presence whose kindness left an imprint on anyone who crossed his path. The nickname “Pops” wasn’t just a term of endearment; it was a reflection of the comfort he brought to those around him. His presence had a way of making people feel seen, heard, and valued.

Losing him after weeks of searching makes the grief even sharper. Families who joined the search, volunteers who climbed through thick brush, and friends who organized efforts now face the painful reality that their hope was met with sorrow. The woods where he was found will forever carry a different meaning now—one tied to loss, love, and the aching truth of a community’s final goodbye.

A Town United in Mourning and Gratitude

The discovery of Pops brings closure, but closure is not the same as healing. Healing takes time—quiet days, tearful nights, and the gentle support of a town that refuses to let anyone grieve alone. Preston has shown extraordinary unity throughout the search, and that unity continues now in mourning. People stand together, offering meals, prayers, hugs, and words that fall softly because no words feel quite right in moments like these.

Yet even in heartbreak, there is gratitude. Gratitude for the volunteers who searched tirelessly. Gratitude for the community that refused to give up. And gratitude for the life of Henry “Pops” Hood—a life filled with small acts of goodness that will be remembered long after the sadness fades.