MI MI - David Moffett, 70, was walking his dog, has Alzheimer's, Levering, Emmet County, 29 Sept 2023

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  • #1
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EMMET COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- Officials in Emmet County are currently searching for a missing person with Alzheimer's.

David Moffett, 70, has been missing since Friday, Sept. 29, according to CCE Central Dispatch 911.

Moffet stands at 5'9, weighs 140 pounds and has gray hair.

Moffet was last seen walking his dog in the area of 1699 Mayle Road in Levering, according to Michigan State Police.

He was last seen wearing brown pants, a green sweater, a checkered shirt and a baseball cap, state police said.

Call 911 or the Emmet County Sheriff's Office at 231-439-8900 if you see Moffett or know his whereabouts.

 
  • #2
If he's needing medical assistance, his dog is likely staying with him. I hope they find him in time.
 
  • #3
This is local to me. David and his dog Stella are still missing.
They have been doing sweep-line searches yesterday, today, and planned for tomorrow as well.
Anyone wanting to help search are require to sign in at the Center Township Hall 981 W. Van Rd., Pellston, Michigan
Tomorrow morning there will be a meeting at 7:30 AM at the hall.

There's a FB page for the search information: David Moffett Search & Rescue Updates
Please share the FB posts if you are within Michigan!

David had previously gone missing for 13 hours a week before this current incident. He told the kind person who was giving him a ride home that he lived in Rogers City. Family has indicated he has never lived there and has no ties to Rogers City. So it is possible that he accepted a ride from another person and may have given them incorrect information about his home location. If he is not lost in the woods, he could be anywhere in Michigan if someone drove him away from the area.

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  • #4
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  • #5
Stella found her way back home this afternoon. Unfortunately, David is still missing at this time.
 
  • #6
Stella found her way back home this afternoon. Unfortunately, David is still missing at this time.

Bad news. If he's still alive, the dog is much needed companionship and might have alerted searchers.
 
  • #7
From Emmet County Sheriff's Office:
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
10/4/2023
- David Moffett's Beloved Dog Stella Returns Home: Public Urged to Maintain Search Efforts.
Levering, Michigan - The Emmet County Sheriff's Office is pleased to announce that Stella, the beloved dog of David Moffett who went missing with David on September 29th, has returned home safely. This heartwarming development brings hope to the ongoing search for David Moffett, and the authorities are urging the public to continue their efforts to locate him.
Since the disappearance of David Moffett and Stella, the Emmet County Sheriff's Office has been actively investigating the case and coordinating search operations to locate the missing individual. The return of Stella serves as a significant development in the investigation, and the authorities are working diligently to gather more information about David Moffett's whereabouts.
While this news brings renewed optimism, the Emmet County Sheriff's Office requests that the public respects the privacy of the Moffett family during this challenging time. It is essential to allow the authorities to conduct their investigation without undue interference.
The Emmet County Sheriff's Office extends its gratitude to the community for their unwavering support and tireless efforts in the search for David Moffett. The collaboration between law enforcement agencies, volunteers, and concerned citizens has been invaluable, and it exemplifies the strength of this community in times of need.
Anyone with any information related to the disappearance of David Moffett is urged to contact the Emmet County Sheriff's Office at 231-439-8900 or 911 Central Dispatch. Even the smallest detail could prove crucial in bringing him home safely.
The Emmet County Sheriff's Office will continue to provide updates on the ongoing investigation as they become available. Information will be shared through official channels, including press releases, social media, and local news outlets.
The thoughts and prayers of the Emmet County Sheriff's Office continue to be with the Moffett family during this difficult time.
 
  • #8

UPDATE 10/5/23 6:45 p.m.

The emergency manager for Emmet County, Matt Blythe, said first responders and volunteers were re-energized after finding David Moffet’s dog Stella six days into the search.

“We took her out for a walk after she had a little bit of a rest. She took us out to one of the powerline easements where we were able to spot her footprints coming back into the house. So it gave us that indication of where she had come from. And that has really helped our search kind of gain some momentum in a specific direction for today,” Blythe said.

Blythe said they’ve been able to narrow down the search area to just over 30 square miles.

“We started getting more volunteers coming in, wanting to help with the idea that now we have a little more focus. So they’re starting to understand that the time really is of the essence, where we’re really in a time crunch. The weather is changing significantly at this point,” he said.

Blythe said they have three search teams in the field doing basic line searches in areas Moffet frequently took his dog on walks and also searching areas in and around Moffet’s home.

***********
Long article -- continues.

ETA:
Blythe said they will keep looking at least through the weekend.

“It’s still considered right now we’re still considering it a rescue until we get further guidance and, uh, until we run out of some of those resources,” said Blythe.

Moffet’s son Nathan said they need more volunteers for an expanded search this weekend.

He said more county emergency officials from other counties, the coast guard, and search teams from downstate are coming up to assist with the search.

Nathan said they want as many volunteers as they can to help.


For more information, please click on this link.
 
Last edited:
  • #9
Really worried about David, hopefully there will be some progress this weekend.
 
  • #10
The Emmet County Sheriff's Office has shared the following image of a shoe they believe David Moffett was wearing at the time of his disappearance
 
  • #11
So the dog returned home after being missing for almost a week? I am so worried for David - I always feel better when a dog remains with a missing person. Hopefully there will be a big turnout this weekend for searching.
 
  • #12
Update October 9, 2023:

David has not been found yet, and the search is not over!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to this amazing community for everything thus far.
We will be posting a more in-depth update soon, but for now, here are a few key points.
➡️
There will be no more 7:30 AM civilian meetings at the Center Township Hall as of now.
➡️
As soon as a new lead or clue is found, full official forces will pursue that lead right away with all fervency.
We could not be more inspired by our community and the love & support that has been poured out and keeps on pouring. It’s truly touching
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Please continue to search with your friends, family, and fellow community members. Keep your eyes open and be vigilant- especially hunters and outdoorsmen!
CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY IF YOU FIND/SEE ANYTHING
The search is NOT over and will not be over until David is found!
He is a husband, father, and friend. Thank you!
❤️
 
  • #13

"PETOSKEY — The Emmet County Sheriff's Office reported on Monday morning that the ongoing search for missing 70-year-old David Owen Moffett is transitioning the investigation to a clue-based approach.

In transitioning the investigation to a clue-based approach, investigators will scrutinize any available evidence, analyze leads, and explore all potential avenues that could shed light on Moffett's whereabouts.

Anyone with any information that could aid in locating Moffett should contact 911 Central Dispatch or reach out to the Emmet County Sheriff's Office directly at (231) 439-8900."
 
  • #14
While the search isn't formally over — the county will still investigate leads if they come in — Wallin said people are not actively out searching for Moffett anymore. The county switched to a clue-based investigation on Oct. 9.

During Tuesday's meeting, Wallin was joined by Emmet County Emergency Management Coordinator Matt Blythe and State Rep. Neil Friske.

Friske said he wrote a piece of legislation he will be presenting for a vote next year that introduces Silver Alerts, which are alerts about elderly missing persons using the same infrastructure as Amber Alerts.

Wallin said he was asked by Moffett's family to participate in a public meeting where people could ask questions about the search. During the meeting, Wallin explained the timeline of the investigation, from when Moffett was reported missing to the last known sighting, as well as the series of steps that followed.

Nathan Moffett, David's son, said he wanted to use the meeting as an opportunity for people to express their thanks and gratitude, and also offer suggestions for if something like his father's disappearance happens again.

"During the search efforts, we realized there was such a heavy community involvement during this — and many people who were there a little bit, many people would have heard about it, and helped peripherally — that it would be beneficial, and be so necessary, to do a big debrief to the community of what happened and invite everyone and have all professional parties who are involved there," Nathan told the News-Review.
 
  • #15

A Northern Michigan state lawmaker is proposing a bill that he says might have helped in the case of missing 70-year-old David Moffett of Emmet County.

State Rep. Neil Friske, R — Charlevoix, introduced the legislation in the village of Pellston to the community in search of Moffett. It would mandate Silver Alerts within two hours of an adult over 60 being missing.

*******
“We need to act sooner and my bill will help make that happen,” Friske wrote in the below Facebook post. “Thank you to the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office, search teams, family and community for all your efforts during this difficult time. I pray that he is found, and this legislation will prevent another situation like this.”

******
Residents can keep up with the search and help post on the David Moffett Search and Rescue Facebook Page, according to Moffett’s son Nathan.
 
  • #16
Silver Alerts are great if the person hasn't been missing too long. People with dementia or Alzheimer's should be registered and have a tracking bracelet and it should be a free government program. Heck...airtages are cheap and it's better than nothing. This is happening more and more and they often to not have good outcomes.
 
  • #17
IMO, these missing elderly who are confused and walk away or drive away from home are becoming more numerous each passing day.
 

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