News Releases

Missing 80-Year-Old Man Located in Wooded Area After Multi-Day Search

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 3, 2025

Gaithersburg, MD – An 80-year-old man missing for five days was found alive in a wooded area in Gaithersburg, following an extensive search by multiple law enforcement agencies and volunteer teams.

William Heyward, the subject of a Silver Alert, was located near Green Farm Conservation Park. He was in critical condition and transported to a local hospital by Montgomery County Fire Rescue.

Heyward, who has medical issues, was first reported missing on the morning of Friday, June 27, 2025. Officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police – 6th District responded around 9:30 a.m. to a residence in the 7500 block of Brenish Drive for a missing-at-risk call.

According to investigators, Heyward was last seen at approximately 2 a.m. His caretaker discovered he was missing later that morning, along with a black and white blanket that he was carrying.

Montgomery County Police began a search with support from specialized units, and a Silver Alert was issued through multiple media channels with a picture of Heyward and where he was last seen. 

Over the following days, concerns grew for Heyward’s safety because of rising temperatures and heavy rain across the region.

On Wednesday, July 3, Maryland-National Capital Park Police officers located the black and white blanket near Green Farm Conservation Park. A coordinated search effort followed, involving Montgomery County Police 6th District officers, the Special Operations Division, Park Police Special Operations, and volunteer canine teams.

Heyward was found alive in heavy brush and received medical attention at the scene before being transported to the hospital.

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Release ID: 25-317
Media Contact: S.D. Goff 
Categories: found-person