Missing Autistic Young Man

November 6, 2013
Wildomar, CA
2013-034

Written by Paul Caraher

On Wednesday November 6th, RMRU was called to help with an urban search for a missing 18-year-old male with autism. Our assignment for the first night was to search the surrounding foothills of Wildomar. We were able to send out four two man teams to start probing the hillsides looking for tracks. After a few hours of searching with Star 9 overhead, we were called back to be reassigned during the coming days.

On Friday, the 8th, RMRU was assigned to Riverside Sheriff’s SWAT Team to continue searching the foothills. During this time, a citizen came forward and stated that she had seen a male who fits the description crossing into a field at Grand Ave. and Ontario Way in Lakeland Village. Detectives and patrol arrived on scene and secured footprints leading into the hills. Soon afterward Riverside County Search Dog teams arrived and alerted to a scent going towards the foothills. Right behind them, RMRU and SWAT arrive to assist with the search. About two and a half miles up a ravine and off trail, the dog team found David alive and responsive. Minutes later SWAT and RMRU arrived to facilitate the carry out.

Search Pictures by RSO

(L-R) Search Dog, Searchers, and (SWAT member, Subject, and RMRU Paul)
Photo courtesy of Riverside County Sheriff’s Office

Special thank you to everyone involved: Star 9, Riverside County SWAT, The Citizen Emergency Response Teams, Desert Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, Sheriff’s Mounted Posses, Riverside County Office of Emergency Services, American Red Cross and especially the Riverside County Search Dogs.

RMRU members: Paul Caraher, Pete Carlson, Joe Erickson, Eric Holden, Mark Houston, Rob May, Roger May, Frank Snider, and Les Walker.