On Thursday, July 3, an 80-year-old man missing for five days was found alive in a wooded area in Gaithersburg. It followed a multi-day search by multiple law enforcement agencies and teams of volunteers.
William Heyward was located near Green Farm Conservation Park by Maryland-National Capital Park Police, according to an X post by the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD). He was in critical condition and received medical care on the scene. Later he was transported to a local hospital by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.
Missing
Heyward was initially reported missing the morning of Friday, June 27, where he was last seen around 2 a.m. near the 7900 block of Brenish Drive in Gaithersburg. His caretaker discovered he was missing later that morning. MCPD’s 6th District responded to a missing-at-risk call from a residence on Brenish Drive around 9:30 a.m. Also missing was a black and white blanket Heyward was carrying.
Montgomery County Police began a search with support from specialized units and issued a Silver Alert for Heyward with a photo and information on his last known location.
Over the following days, concern grew for Heyward’s safety due to rising temperatures and heavy rain.
Recovery
On Wednesday, July 2, Maryland-National Capital Park Police located the black and white blanket near Green Farm Conservation Park. MCPD began a coordinated search effort alongside the Special Operations Division, Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Park Police Special Operations and volunteer canine teams.
According to Montgomery Parks, Green Farm Conservation Park is a 200-acre parcel of parkland with an additional 50-acre dedicated stream buffer area. It is located off of Snouffer School Road adjacent to the far end of the Montgomery County Airpark air strip.
Heyward was located alive in heavy brush.
