Alzheimer's patient missing for four days is found

PORTSMOUTH, VA. (WAVY.com) -- In the heat and humidity of the last four days, a Portsmouth man wandered around Portsmouth, in the haze created by Alzheimer's Disease. Now, 80-year-old William Brown is safe at Bon Secours Maryview Hospital.

Police say a 911 caller let them know a man matching Brown's description was outside, alone, near the intersection of Peninsula Avenue and King Street. Officers say when they spoke with Brown Tuesday morning, he could not tell them where he'd been since Saturday morning. That's when he disappeared from his family's home on County Street. But somehow, without his medication and wearing only his pajamas - Brown survived.

A group of men sitting under the shade of trees a few blocks from where Brown disappeared stayed on alert for him.

Tony Green told WAVY.com, "I'm thankful that he's alive. Back with his family."

He and the other men say they been hoping for the best, studying his face every time officers showed them Brown's picture.

According to William Grant, "They've been coming past here four or five times showing a picture. Trying to make sure if we see him, to let them know."

Green added, "Constantly we've been looking out for him 'cause we know he was like 80, 82 years old. It's hot, it's humid."

Brown's relatives say the triple digit temperatures combined with the length of time he was missing - led to dehydration. Loved ones explained to WAVY.com from the hospital that Brown will get a Project Lifesaver transmitter.

Portsmouth Sheriff's Deputy Theresa Faesi told WAVY.com, "Every search that we have gone on, we have a 100 percent success rate. Everyone who has gone missing we have been able to locate in 30 minutes or less."

The Portsmouth Sheriff's Office coordinates the program for the city. Deputies say the bracelets can save lives and time. They can also spare a family the prolonged anxiety Brown's relatives experienced.

"We're talking over 24 hours, where it has been extremely hot over the last few days, it's been dreadful," Faesi said.

Within a few minutes of taking a call from William Brown's daughter at the hospital - deputies were setting him up with a Project Lifesaver Transmitter.

Find out if your community participates in the Project Lifesaver Program.