The Disappearance of Michael Black
Thanksgiving week began with worry for Avril Black. Her husband, Michael, a 91-year-old man with dementia, had gone missing from their home in Afton, Wyoming.
Afton Police Chief Jason Romberg explained that Michael had wandered off before but had always been found nearby within hours. This time, however, Michael had traveled over 200 miles (320km), making his disappearance more concerning.
Michael was last seen on Monday afternoon, hitchhiking through Idaho and Utah. By Tuesday, he was listed as a missing person in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.
Tips started to come in, following his movements, but the trail eventually went cold in Logan Canyon, Utah.
A Lifesaving Encounter
While the search stalled, Michael was discovered by a kind stranger at a bus stop in Salt Lake City
Jay Rouse, the chapel lead at the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake, received a call from a senior missionary who had found an elderly man at the station and wanted to bring him to the shelter.
Although it was late and the shelter was closed, Rouse agreed to help.
Around 8:30 or 9:00 p.m., the missionary arrived with Michael. Despite being closed, Rouse welcomed him. Michael turned out to be a 91-year-old Korean War veteran.
Spotted on TV
Meanwhile, in Afton, Avril continued her search for her husband. On Wednesday night, she turned on the 10 p.m. news on KSL TV.
As Avril watched a segment about Thanksgiving meals at the Rescue Mission, she spotted someone in the background who looked like Michael. She paused and rewound the video, and sure enough, it was him, Avril told KSL TV.
She even took a photo of the screen to confirm it.
A Happy Reunion
The following morning, Avril reached out to the authorities, who confirmed that Michael was at the Rescue Mission. On Thanksgiving Day, she drove to Salt Lake City to bring him home.
Feeling deeply moved by the turn of events, Avril thanked everyone involved, from the Afton Police Department to the shelter staff, for providing her husband with warm clothes, and a blanket, and for their support in ensuring Michael’s safe return.
Chief Romberg also commended the efforts of all those who helped and noted that they were exploring resources to support Michael and Avril in managing his condition moving forward.
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