The Austin man who was missing for nearly four days had been suffering from depression before his disappearance, his family said Friday.
Dennis Hanson, 72, was first reported missing by his wife Monday morning when she returned to their home and could not find him. He was found safe hiding behind a couch in his basement around 5 p.m. Thursday night, Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger said.
After several false spottings and a lack of leads, detectives went to Hanson's home Thursday to re-interview family members, Krueger said. At that point, they decided to conduct an exhaustive search of the home, which is when they found Hanson.
"The basement is rather cluttered, there was a lot of material down there. So they did find him, he was a little disoriented but he walked out of the basement on his own power," Krueger said.
Hanson's wife Anne wrote a letter to ABC 6 News Friday, thanking the community for its efforts to locate him.
"It was God leading all who involved themselves in this massive search and His protection that brought Dennis back to us alive and willing to receive the intensive medical attention to relieve the burdens that prompted his desperate attempt for peace of mind," the letter said.
His family also highlighted the impact depression can have on a person.
"It is our hope that everyone will have a renewed awareness of the magnitude a 'little down in the dumps' can have on the human mind," the letter said. "Depression is very real and not a choice."
His family also highlighted the impact depression can have on a person.
"It is our hope that everyone will have a renewed awareness of the magnitude a 'little down in the dumps' can have on the human mind," the letter said. "Depression is very real and not a choice."
