A 67-year-old Jennings man who recently suffered a stroke and cannot speak walked away from his home Sunday morning, prompting an Endangered Silver Advisory from local police. Derrick Wince was last seen leaving a residence in the 5300 block of Hamilton Avenue around 11 a.m., according to a county police spokesperson, and he has not been found since.
St. Louis County Police is asking the public for help locating Wince, according to FOX 2. Police say Wince walks with a cane, recently suffered a stroke, and recently moved to the Jennings area, meaning he may be unfamiliar with his surroundings. He is nonverbal, though police say he understands when someone is talking to him.
Wince is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 130 pounds, with a bald head and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie, tan khaki cargo pants, and a black baseball cap. Anyone with information is asked to contact their nearest law enforcement agency or St. Louis County Police at 636-529-8210.
How the Silver Advisory System Works
The Missouri State Highway Patrol lists criteria for an Endangered Silver Advisory, including a missing adult at least 60 years old who is believed to have dementia or another cognitive impairment, provided a legal custodian has filed an official report, per the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Local agencies submit Endangered Silver Advisory forms to Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F. After activation, Missouri law-enforcement agencies are notified through MULES, while broadcasters and media are notified separately.
There is no waiting period before police can act. Under Section 43.401 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, agencies receiving a missing person complaint must immediately log the report into the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System and the National Crime Information Center, with no mandatory delay before launching a search for a vulnerable adult.
A Search Led From the Jennings Precinct
The St. Louis County Police Department's City of Jennings Precinct serves the 3.7-square-mile municipality and is staffed by more than 42 officers, with community-engagement goals. Jennings, an inner-ring suburb just north of the St. Louis city border, is a 3.7-square-mile municipality.
The City of Jennings Precinct is commanded by Bradley Kelling.
Wince's Circumstances
Wince recently suffered a stroke, recently moved to the Jennings area, and is nonverbal.
A Recent Local Case
In September, St. Louis County Police issued a comparable Endangered Silver Advisory for an 81-year-old county man with dementia and diabetes who had disappeared without his essential medication.
