Missing Alvin ISD teacher found: 'The students love him, the parents love him, we love him'

Texas EquuSearch has announced that a popular agriculture teacher in the Alvin Independent School District (AISD) has been found, according to reports from Houston-based media outlets.

Craig Kettler, 49, was reported missing after he was last heard from last Thursday (May 19) as he left a youth livestock arena near the 600 block of County Road 351 in Brazoria County. According to EquuSearch, Kettler had made contact with his loved ones, who are requesting privacy at this time.

"Texas EquuSearch is no longer involved in this case," the nonprofit organization said in a Facebook post. "Thank you to everyone who assisted on his case and those that offered their help!"

AISD Director of Communications Renae Rives attested to Kettler's positive impact on the district.

"The students love him, the parents love him, we love him," Rives said, according to Houston CBS affiliate KHOU. "He does so much for our kids and for the community and that’s why we’re so concerned.”

AISD had assisted EquuSearch and area law enforcement with the search for the educator, the station reported.

Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that the location where Kettler was found is unspecified.

The teacher reportedly wore a short-sleeved blue, orange and white plaid shirt and jeans and drove a white 2000 Ford F-250 extended cab truck with a camper attached to the bed and an LD Systems logo on the drivers side door at the time of his disappearance.

According to KHOU, EquuSearch flew over a section of Interstate 10 (I-10) on Monday (May 23) after Kettler's vehicle was purportedly spotted in the area.

KHOU reported that thousands of people go missing in the U.S. every year.

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO), a missing person report can be filed without having to wait 24 hours, per the station.