DESERT HOT SPRINGS: “At-risk” missing man, 75, located after 10 days

UPDATED: Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2 a.m.

DESERT HOT SPRINGS — A 75-year-old man who wandered away from his Desert Hot Springs home was found and has been returned home after being missing for 10 days.

William Ballantine Dorsey left his home on the 18000 Block of Langlois Road, Saturday, Mar. 10. When he had not returned after 45 minutes his wife called 911 to report him missing.

Deputies canvassed the area searching for Dorsey and checked with other law enforcement agencies and area hospitals, but they were not successful in locating the missing man at the time.

Although Dorsey had wandered away from home before and had always returned home after a few days, because he suffers from mental illness and diminished capacity, he was considered “at-risk,” officials explained after the man went missing.

Officials have not specified where Dorsey was for the last 10 days or where the missing man had been located.

 

 

DESERT HOT SPRINGS — Authorities are asking for the public’s help locating a missing, at-risk adult who was last seen four days ago.

During an initial investigation, deputies the Riverside County Sheriff’s Palm Desert Station learned 75-year-old, William Ballantine Dorsey, of South Desert Hot Springs, had wandered away from his home Saturday, Mar. 10, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Rod LaBrecque explained yesterday morning.

Dorsey suffers from mental illness, according to LaBrecque, and is considered at risk because of his diminished capacity.

The investigation began Saturday morning when Dorsey’s wife called 911 to report her husband had gone missing. According to LaBrecque, deputies met with her at the couple’s home on the 18000 Block of Langlois Road.

Deputies learned Dorsey left the residence about 10 a.m. and had not been seen or heard from since. When Dorsey had not returned home after 45 minutes, his wife reported him missing.

Deputies canvassed the area searching for Dorsey and checked with other law enforcement agencies and contacted area hospitals, but they were not successful in locating the missing man.

Dorsey has wandered away from home before, according to LaBrecque, but has always returned home after a few days.

Dorsey has been described as a white male adult, 5’-11” tall, weighing about 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing a grey long sleeve shirt with blue stripes, blue jeans, and brown shoes.

Dorsey suffers from mental illness, according to LaBrecque, and is considered at risk because of his diminished capacity.

Sheriff’s detectives have assumed the investigation into Dorsey’s disappearance and his description and photos have been distributed to all surrounding law enforcement agencies and hospitals.

The investigation and search are ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or who knows the whereabouts of the missing man is encouraged to contact the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at (760) 836-1600. Callers can refer to incident file number O180710017 and can remain anonymous.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.