Family searches for 81-year-old man with Alzheimer’s still missing after two days
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- It's been more than 48 hours since Neil Woodard saw his husband, Daniel Otero. After being together for more than four decades, Woodard says the past three days have been a struggle.
"Dan just seems to have evaporated," said Woodard to KRDO on Monday. "Nobody has seen hide or hair of him."
Otero is 81, and he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's more than a decade ago. Woodard, 73, says Otero left their home on foot in the north side of Pueblo at the 1500 block of Primrose Lane around 4:15 am on Saturday; clothed only with blue scrub pants, a white t-shirt, socks, and his walker.
TONIGHT ON @KRDONC13.. An 81-year old man living with Alzheimer's has been missing in Pueblo for more than 48 hours. His husband is begging the public for help in locating him. Full story at 6 p.m. pic.twitter.com/ht1DBYcnkt
— Dan Beedie KRDO (@BeedieonTV) July 19, 2021
"He had to get up to go to the bathroom, and whenever he got out of bed it always woke me up," said Woodard. "Usually he would get back to bed within a few minutes. Saturday morning he did not come back to bed. I thought 'uh-oh he is off wandering again.'"
Woodard says his husband started wandering from their home when they moved to Pueblo a year ago. After Woodard called 911 Saturday morning, Pueblo Police declared Otero missing and are now asking for the public's help in locating him.
"This is not happening. It can't be real."
For Woodard, it's getting harder to remain optimistic. Otero takes dozens of medications every day for his multiple health concerns, and the last time he took any medication was Friday evening.
"I keep looking out of the window thinking he will roll up any minute now," said Woodard. "I put a chair out front in case he comes back. But I just don't see given his physical constitution and mental state how he could survive a day. I hope he is at rest somewhere. Whether alive or not."
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Otero you are asked to contact Pueblo Police (719) 553-2502 as soon as possible.
