SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah, Dec. 22, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) –- Authorities are searching for a missing and endangered man in Millcreek Canyon.
The Unified Police Department, Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, and a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter are currently attempting to locate Blake Richardson, who has been missing since Dec. 10, according to a news release.
Richardson is considered endangered because he is not dressed properly for the weather and suffers from mental illness, the news release said. It is thought that Richardson was last seen by hikers in the canyon on Dec. 10. He was asking for food, but denied any other help from the hikers or police.
Police have provided a timeline of Richardson’s last known movements:
Dec. 7 – Richardson was listed as a walk away from Salt Lake Behavioral Health. He was reported to South Salt Lake Police and listed on NCIC database for missing persons.
Dec. 9 – Richardson was located by his father in an unknown location, returned to the facility and attended a hearing the same day to determine if he needed to be committed to the facility. He was not committed, therefore was released to go back to his home in Holladay. Later that day, he reportedly left with his dog to go for a walk.
Dec. 10 – Hikers in the Dog Lake area of Millcreek Canyon reported seeing Richardson with his dog, wandering and asking for food. UPD Canyon Rescue attempted to locate the man, but attempts were unsuccessful. Richardson was last seen wearing a green canvas coat, with a hoodie underneath, black jeans and tan shoes. It is not 100 percent confirmed that this sighting was of Richardson.
Dec. 16 – Richardson’s dog was found running around Evergreen picnic area in Millcreek Canyon. The dog was contained, seized, and transported to an animal shelter. There was no sighting of Richardson around this time.
Dec. 19 – Richardson’s father located the dog on online shelter listings. His father contacted SSLPD, who in turn contacted UPD. UPD then began to start an organized search for Richardson.
UPD is asking the public for any information regarding the location of Richardson. If anyone was in the Dog Lake area on Dec. 10 and remembers seeing a man matching his description, they are asked to contact UPD at 801-743-7000.
The Search Team is also asking the public to stay clear of the Dog Lake/Reynolds Peak area.
