Toronto police are searching for an elderly man with dementia named Norman Gray, who goes by Bill, after he went missing more than 24 hours ago. Gray was last seen leaving his house in North York to go on a walk near Sheppard Avenue West and Torbarrie Road. He is described as 76 years old, around five-feet-10-inches tall, with curly hair and brown eyes. Gray was last seen wearing a dark-coloured baseball hat, a red and blue shirt, blue jeans, a black jacket, and black and white shoes. A command post was initially set up at Wilson Avenue and Beverly Hills Drive but has since moved to the area of Victoria Park Avenue and Ellesmere Road where Gray was last spotted.
During a news conference, Insp. Jeff Bangild, spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service, stated that officers are treating the area where Gray was last seen as a new starting point in their search efforts. New information and sightings of Gray have been reported, leading to a Level 1 Search being conducted to allocate more resources for a wider search area. While Gray’s stage of dementia is increasing in severity, he is still quite agile and capable of moving freely around the city. Police believe that Gray may be hungry and thirsty after being missing for an extended period of time and have advised the public to approach him if spotted, as he is described as very personable.
Investigators are asking anyone with information on Gray’s whereabouts to contact them at 416-808-3100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously. The Toronto Police Operations Twitter account posted a missing person alert for Gray, providing a description and photo of the elderly man in hopes of generating leads in the search for him. With the assistance of the community and the public’s vigilance, there is hope that Gray will be located and reunited with his loved ones. The police are using all available resources and information to track down Gray and bring him back safely.
The community is urged to keep an eye out for Gray and assist in the search efforts by sharing his photo and description. Gray’s family is likely worried about his safety and well-being, and any information or sighting of him could be crucial in finding him. It is important for the public to be aware of Gray’s condition and the urgency of locating him as soon as possible. The Toronto Police Service is actively conducting searches and following up on potential leads in collaboration with members of the community. The situation is being treated with utmost seriousness, and the police are working tirelessly to bring Gray home safely.
Efforts to find Gray have intensified, with a Level 1 Search being conducted to cover a larger area and allocate more resources for the search. The police are following up on information and tips as they come in, and the search area has been expanded to increase the chances of locating Gray. As a person with dementia, Gray may be disoriented and in need of assistance, making it crucial to find him promptly. The public is asked to report any sightings of Gray to the authorities and help in the search efforts to bring him back home. With the community’s support and cooperation, there is hope that Gray will be found and reunited with his family soon.
