The oldest missing persons case in Dallas, Texas, the disappearance of 16-year-old Norman Prater, remained a mystery for 52 years - until now, according to police and media reports. The Dallas Police Department has solved what happened to Prater after his family reported him missing on January 14, 1973, the agency announced in a news release on Friday, January 2. Now, Prater's loved ones are provided "with long-awaited peace," thanks to the "exceptional work" of Dallas missing persons detective Ryan Dalby, the department said.