PORT TOWNSEND — A 76-year-old Seattle man has been found safe in Port Townsend after a Silver Alert was issued for him.
The Seattle Police Department issued the alert, an endangered missing persons advisory, at 4 a.m. Monday.
Wyatt Wood, who reportedly suffers from a history of heart problems, diabetes and dementia, was found just after 11 a.m., according to a news release from the State Patrol.
Wood had been last seen leaving his Seattle home on Sunday afternoon, according to the news release.
A Silver Alert is similar to an Amber Alert except the person is 60 or older, and they might be in danger because of age, physical or mental health, or severe weather conditions and not able to return to safety without assistance, the State Patrol reported.
After the alert was issued, several citizens called 9-1-1 and reported seeing a yellow 2001 Nissan Xterra similar to the one Wood was believed to be driving. One caller placed the vehicle in Port Townsend.
State Trooper Jamieson Hodgson and Port Townsend Police Department Detective Jon Stuart responded and identified Wood at a coffee shop within the Northwest Maritime Center. Wood told officers he checked into a Port Townsend hotel Sunday night and turned his cellphone to airplane mode.
Due to his health history, Wood agreed to receive a medical evaluation. Officers advised Wood’s caretaker and family members, who agreed he could drive home.
“Thank you to those citizens who were alert and proactive in calling 9-1-1,” state patrol District 8 Capt. James Mjor stated in the news release. “Through expediting accurate information by way of our social media and news outlets, we continue to recognize positive conclusions from our involved citizens — the key stakeholders in our ‘Alert’ programs — and appreciate their efforts in helping us locate those vulnerable that go missing.”
The endangered missing persons advisory plan was incorporated into state law in June 2010. For an alert to be issued, the reporting party must have enough information to help with the recovery of the missing person. If enough information is available, the incident can be reported to and investigated by law enforcement.
The alert disseminates information about the person to the media, public and local law enforcement agencies with the goal of safe return as quickly as possible.
