Missing Person with Alzheimer’s Found Dead
Brooklyn Park Police found 89-year-old Sylvester Smith deceased on Sunday morning, not far from his home on Cherokee Lane North. Smith suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and his family reported him missing on Saturday morning.
Family members last saw Smith inside of his house around 4:00 a.m. on Saturday. But when family members woke up about three hours later, Smith was missing. Family members say Smith was sociable and they believe he walked away from the home. They also said he wasn’t familiar with the neighborhood. Police searched the area and found Smith deceased Sunday morning.
The Hennepin County Crime Lab and Medical Examiner are assisting with the investigation. The exact cause of death will be determined by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner. The effort to locate Sylvester was in partnership with the Minnesota State Patrol, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department, Brooklyn Park Fire Department, Minnesota Search and Rescue Dog Association, and several Brooklyn Park residents.