A Blount County man, the center of a recent Silver Alert, has been found safe. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation confirmed yesterday that 68-year-old Douglas Thomas, who had been reported missing from Walland since the previous Saturday, was located and no longer at risk, according to WVLT.
Thomas, who stands 6'1" tall and has blue hair and gray eyes, may had been in potential danger due to a medical condition, as reported by WBIR. His last known whereabouts were near Roper Way in Walland with the possibility of traveling in a silver 2019 Ford F-150, bearing the Tennessee license plate 705BGLT.
The TBI's swift issuance of the Silver Alert facilitated Thomas's safe return. In a statement, officials thanked the public for their vigilance and shared relief at Thomas's recovery. The alert, a tool crucial in locating vulnerable adults, especially those with health issues that impair their ability to return home safely, proved effective once again.
Authorities have reminded the public that nearly 400 people go missing in Tennessee each year, which translates to approximately five people per 100,000. With this in mind, WATE has encouraged locals to actively engage with lists of those still missing in East Tennessee to possibly aid in reuniting other missing individuals with their loved ones.
