Update: Vashon man still missing, but search suspended

12:23 PM: An 85-year-old Vashon Island man with Alzheimer’s is missing, and King County Sheriff’s Office and the Alzheimer’s Association have asked media on this side of the Sound to also distribute his photo, in case he managed to get onto a ferry. His name is Jack Randles; he is described as 6’ 1”, 150 pounds, with white hair and mustache. He was last seen in the downtown Vashon area around 4:30 pm yesterday. KCSO is searching on the ground and in the air. If you see or have seen him, please call 911.

8:58 PM UPDATE: The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber reports the search has been called off for now.

MB January 26, 2012 (12:31 pm)

According to the Beachcomber (Vashon paper), he was seen on Maury Island walking down Dockton Road at or around 6:30pm yesterday, wearing red pajamas and sneakers. This is on the Southeast end of Vashon, pretty far from “town” when walking.

WSB January 26, 2012 (12:37 pm)

Thanks, MB – what we have comes from KCSO and the Alzheimer’s Association, but they are casting a wide net, understandably.

MB January 26, 2012 (12:49 pm)

Oh of course, just thought that might be useful info to those on the island who don’t look at the Beachcomer online, especially the red pajama detail! Hubby is working over there and says there is a helicopter flying around. I think its unlikely he got on a ferry without anyone noticing and/or raising concern, plus i doubt he could walk that far in the dark, but you never know! I sure hope they find him safe and sound!

nichole January 26, 2012 (4:34 pm)

I used to specialize in dementia care. do not underestimate how far they can walk!!! My 2 ” escapees” both made it 10 miles or so on foot in one day before we found them! Also very unfortunatly dementia to an untrained eye can appear to be an old dis sheveled drunk homeless ect. I also once had a trained police officer ” help” an old lady home… she knew exact address. upon arrival to vacant lot at that address was first clue she might have a mental illness. they can cover it and do so very well at times.

MB January 26, 2012 (5:59 pm)

Sorry if I sounded as though I was insinuating he wasn’t capable of getting that far. By all means, people on both sides should be on the look out! I just meant that knowing the layout of the island and the community and where he was last seen (someone saw him at 6:30 quite far from both ferries and left a message for his son, who didn’t get it until morning), I would suspect he’s still on the island. I hope that if an elderly man, wearing only pajamas, no coat, in the night, likely sopping wet and wind blown from the blustery weather, that a ferry worker would at least ask some questions. I’d hope that most people would be able to tell this was not a homeless man (though I will admit, the complete obliviousness of people sometimes astounds me). People on Vashon tend to be a bit more observant when something looks out of place and they also tend to look out for eachother more than in many other communities. That’s all. I sure hope they find him safe and alive. Last night was yucky and it makes me really sad to think of this man being out there all night and today in only pajamas!!! :(

nichole January 26, 2012 (6:32 pm)

Mb was not Implying any unsympathic part in regards to you or your comment. i too hope he is on vashion where he might be more familiar to folks. unfortunatly ive seen smart people do dumb things in regard to those w dementia. also had a bus driver pick up someone w dementia barefoot in pjs and transport w out question once. The general population is very fooled by this disease all the time.

MB January 26, 2012 (10:22 pm)

That is scary ;(

Michele January 27, 2012 (9:55 am)

“According to the Beachcomber (Vashon paper), he was seen on Maury Island walking down Dockton Road at or around 6:30pm yesterday, wearing red pajamas and sneakers. This is on the Southeast end of Vashon, pretty far from “town” when walking.”

The Beachcomber is reporting what was reported to the police.

I was the person who saw Jack at 6:30 PM on Dockton Rd.

MB January 27, 2012 (12:13 pm)

Still no sign of him? I can’t stop thinking about it. 2 nights and going on 2 days now is a long time ;( I have friends on Maury that have added the updated Beachcomber article to their Facebook pages as well. I hope word is getting out to as many residents as possible so they can look for him as well!

Kathy Pierce January 28, 2012 (8:48 am)

I’m wondering why we are not hearing this on every TV station 24 seven!!! He has been missing on Vashon since Wednesday and he is 87??? If it were my
Dad I would have a bull horn and EVERY able body beating the bushes looking for him. He might not be a child but he is human what about the amber alert??