August Beckwith, the autistic 29-year-old man who was reported missing twice in recent months, has been found safe once again, bringing a sigh of relief to his family and the community that rallied to locate him. His mother, Lori Beckwith, took to social media on Sunday to share the good news, though she did not delve into the specifics of her son's discovery. "August has been found and is safe," the Gephardt Daily quoted Lori's early morning Facebook post.
The saga, which drew considerable local attention, began with August's initial disappearance on November 17 near the University of Utah, prompting a community-wide search that lasted until December 10, when he was found in a Taylorsville restaurant. Barely five days after being located, he went missing again after leaving the LDS Hospital. This second disappearance spurred another round of volunteer efforts, despite the Beckwith family's request for privacy, as reported by KUTV.
Lori Beckwith has been vocal, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the volunteers' aid and the role of the unsheltered community in her son's survival during his time missing. "We are overjoyed and deeply grateful," she wrote, mirroring her remarks shared by KSLTV, focusing on the "many remarkable people who helped with compassion and kindness throughout."
Lori has previously noted the difficulties that individuals with autism, such as her son, face during times of transition. After his first recovery, she lauded the homeless community and others whose generosity provided August with food and warm clothing. Her concern for her son's well-being was heightened when, after the second disappearance, he was reported to be off his medication and missing without shoes. Amid this challenging period, the family continues to seek space to heal and restore their sense of normalcy. The latest update indicates August's safe return has granted them that opportunity, as they now look toward "focusing on healing and privacy" for the forthcoming holiday season, KSLTV reported.
