Update: Missing 21-year-old found, police taking him home

9:47 PM: The family of a 21-year-old man with Down syndrome says he is overdue from his usual walk around the block – he’s usually gone an hour or so but has been gone now for four hours – and they hope you can help find him. His name is Michael and he is 5’3″, about 190 pounds, dark hair, wearing a checkered “newsboy”-type cap, in a dark jacket and black shorts. He lives near 49th and Alaska and usually walks around the block a few times. He doesn’t have ID or money on him and his family is worried that even if he is lost, he won’t ask for help – also, he won’t be able to tell you his exact address. Police have been looking for Michael and haven’t found him – if you’ve seen him, please call 911.

10:50 PM: Just heard via scanner, police have found Michael (around 46th/Charlestown) and will be taking him home. (Added – his mom has confirmed this, too.)

21 Replies to "Update: Missing 21-year-old found, police taking him home"

  • Lori December 26, 2014 (10:03 pm)

    Do you know if in cases like this if police notify stores (Safeway,gas stations,etc.) to be aware and give description in case he has gone inside to get out of the cold?

    Is there anything we can do to help at this time?

    • WSB December 26, 2014 (10:15 pm)

      Lori, I don’t know about #1 and re: #2, I guess the main thing is just to be aware so that if Michael happens to show up in your neighborhood, you can contact police, since as his mom told us, he might not ask for help or say he is lost. I’d suggest also that if you have a neighborhood mail list (etc.), especially if you are anywhere near The Junction, share the info to let people know. (The “Share This” link below this and all WSB stories, if moused over, brings up an e-mail option to send the story link to anyone you want, or you can just cut and paste the URL, or right click on the headline to get it; you might already know all this but we are reminded on occasion that not everyone does.) Thank you – Tracy
      .
      (Edit: When the “Share This” window opens, click the … “more” option and “e-mail” is then the first thing on a LONG list of added options. We’ll see if we can fix that soon, as e-mail should come right up along with Facebook and Twitter.)

  • Alki Resident December 26, 2014 (10:15 pm)

    Maybe he got caught up looking at Christmas lights and got further than he expected. I hope he can be found soon,its cold out there. Perhaps getting him and ID bracelet will help ID him in the future if he gets lost. Good luck.

  • Laura December 26, 2014 (10:15 pm)

    I shared this and hope he is found safe very soon.

  • Lori December 26, 2014 (10:30 pm)

    WSB, great thanks for your info about “share this”, I’m one of those that wasn’t aware about process to share. I will definitely do this now. I will certainly keep my eyes open, will call 911 if I see he him and be aware he may not ask for help. I live in Admiral area, but also travel between here and Alaska junction.
    Thanks for your suggestions.

    I hope Michael is found very soon or he walks through the door of his home any minute!

  • Deb December 26, 2014 (10:39 pm)

    TR – Just sent the article link to Nextdoor: Seaview, Alaska Junction, Ercolini Park and Genesse neighborhoods.

  • ws_suzanne December 26, 2014 (10:44 pm)

    A neighbor just shared this on Nextdoor.com, which led me to check here for more information. I sure hope he’s in a safe warm place right now and the people helping him check here.

    I’ve seen him walking in my neighborhood many times. My heart goes out to his family while they wait for good news.

    • WSB December 26, 2014 (10:47 pm)

      Just heard on the scanner that police have found him!!!! Don’t know if it came from a tip or they just came across him but thank you everyone for caring. – TR

  • JanS December 26, 2014 (10:51 pm)

    oh, good….thanks for letting us know, Tracy :)

  • IsleWrite December 26, 2014 (10:51 pm)

    Hooray! In answer to the question about shopkeepers being notified, I can tell you that Metro drivers usually get a call about any situation like this so that they can be on the lookout.

  • Lori December 26, 2014 (10:55 pm)

    Great!!! Thanks for the update! I was about to drive around looking, checking in open stores, but thought I’d check in here first. So glad for a happy ending.

  • Robyn December 26, 2014 (11:01 pm)

    Glad to hear, thank you!!!

    • WSB December 26, 2014 (11:04 pm)

      Michael’s mom just confirmed it to us, so we can all officially stand down. Glad for a happy ending.

  • ws_suzanne December 26, 2014 (11:23 pm)

    Happy ending indeed. What an incredible relief. I love West Seattle. Our community really comes together to help each other.

  • norskgirl December 27, 2014 (8:23 am)

    Good news. What a relief to you all.
    I have a youngster that tends to wander without a watchful eye. I made a little, simple ID card (recipe card paper) and tucked one away in every coat he wears. In the spring and summer when coats are not so needed, I’m thinking of getting some sort of little pouch/container with the ID in it, that I can tie to his shoe strings. Give me a bit of extra security in a worse-case-event.
    Not perfect, and may not work, but worth the try.

  • RT December 27, 2014 (8:46 am)

    This is great news. Want to echo Alki Resident’s suggestion that an ID bracelet or perhaps name label in jacket or shoes (if he doesn’t like to wear a watch or bracelet) would be good idea for future.

  • WSparent December 27, 2014 (9:54 am)

    Lessons learned from having a very fit parent with Alzheimer’s who could be miles away long before we knew she was missing: Get a metal runner’s ID tag that laces into shoes; also check into a “safe return” bracelet; write name and phone number into back neckline of each shirt with permanent laundry pen — love the idea of putting info into pockets of each jacket!

  • clinker December 27, 2014 (10:20 am)

    With our kids, we write a phone number in sharpie on each of their arms before we go out to any public event. This is the rule until they can recite the number / address from memory!

  • Mike December 27, 2014 (10:49 am)

    Glad he’s back home safe.

  • joan bateman December 27, 2014 (8:13 pm)

    Certainly glad he is home safe with his parents.

    When my disabled brother moved from Pa to WS, I too was concerned when he started walking a neighbor dog around the block. My remedy was to give him a walkie talkie, so I could monitor him. I could tell by the cadence, and the noise the walkie talkie made, if everything was normal. When I needed to know how he was, I could yell into my device, and get him to respond. Wasn’t perfect, but somewhat reassuring.

  • evergreen December 27, 2014 (9:59 pm)

    GPS trackers are fairly inexpensive and can be attached to clothing or worn around the wrist.

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