An 85-year-old East Point man, Rufus Leslie, who had been reported missing and suffers from Alzheimer's disease, was found safe in Tennessee according to authorities. An extensive search culminated Thursday afternoon when Leslie was located and subsequently reunited with his family, police said.
Leslie, who was also diagnosed with cognitive depression, had been last seen near Woodberry Avenue and Lawrence Street in East Point around 2 p.m. February 28. His disappearance triggered a Mattie's Call, Georgia's emergency missing alert for disabled or elderly persons. Despite the challenges, officials were determined to quickly find Leslie due to his condition. The East Point Police Department had urged the public to be on the lookout for him, stressing his vulnerability given his medical condition.
Described as 6 feet tall and weighing around 185 pounds with brown eyes and straight black hair, Leslie's case had garnered attention due to his distinct appearance and the likelihood of him being on foot. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, he might have been seen wearing a black baseball cap.
Upon his disappearance, it was unknown what Leslie was wearing, but reports suggested that he could have been traveling in a 2017 gray Nissan Sentra with Georgia tag CPZ7476. The search to quickly find him was impeded by these uncertainties. The police department's contact number was widely disseminated, asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to reach out to assist in the efforts.
The circumstances of his discovery in Tennessee were not immediately disclosed, but Leslie's safe return emphasized the importance of community awareness and the rapid response of law enforcement in cases of missing persons with debilitating conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. In cases such as Leslie's, the quick dissemination of information can be crucial. If you have seen him earlier, please had been asked to contact the police department at 404-761-2177, as noted by WSB-TV.
