The body of a man with dementia who went missing in Maryland amid freezing temperatures was found Tuesday, a week after he vanished, officials say.
Daniel DeHaven's body was found near a wooded area just south of Baltimore-Washington International Airport, police in Anne Arundel County said. Someone out for a walk saw the 65-year-old's body near Dorsey and Asphalt roads in Glen Burnie. Police responded about 4:55 p.m.
There is no reason to suspect foul play in DeHaven's death, police said.
It's still unclear how DeHaven got from the store in Beltsville where he was last seen to Glen Burnie, which is about 20 miles away.
DeHaven's family thanked the police departments and volunteers who searched for their loved one around the clock for days.
"We would like to thank everyone for their time, energy and efforts towards trying to find our Dad. We could not have accomplished any of what we were able to, without the overwhelming support and love from the community, [Prince George's County police] and supporting agencies," the family said on Twitter late Tuesday.
DeHaven, who was nonverbal, disappeared during record-cold temperatures, with windchills dropping below zero. Police looked for him using helicopters, dogs and large search crews.
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DeHaven's family had hoped he was safe and had found somewhere warm to rest.
"We're just trying to stay focused on keeping hope going, and focusing on the search," DeHaven's son, Kevin, previously said.
"We're not going to stop, because he wouldn't stop," he continued. "If it were any of us, he wouldn't stop."
Kevin DeHaven described his father as kind and approachable.
"If you see him, he's not able to communicate, necessarily, but if you call out 'Danny,' he'll know his name and most likely, you'll be greeted by a smile," he said.
DeHaven's death hit home for Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker; his wife has Alzheimer's disease.
"I understand what it's like to have a loved one who's non-verbal. My wife is nonverbal," he said. "So, it's really important that we all pay attention, that when you see something, you say something. "
DeHaven was last seen alive seven days earlier, on Jan. 2, at a Costco store on the 10900 block of Baltimore Avenue in Beltsville.
A driver may have picked up DeHaven while he walked along Route 1 and dropped him off on the 800 block of Annapolis Road in Gambrills, Prince George's County police said. That location is about halfway between the Costco and the area where DeHaven's body was found.
If you encounter someone who appears to need help, don't hesitate to intervene, Deputy Police Chief Sammy Patel said.
"Drop them off to a local hospital, a police station, a fire station, a church -- somewhere they can get additional assistance," he said.
A medical examiner will determine DeHaven's cause and manner of death.
To see resources the Alzheimer's Association offers in the D.C. region, go here.
