Butte and Plumas County Search and Rescue teams found John Dewar near his parked van early Friday morning. The 73 year old had been missing since Tuesdy afternoon after leaving the house to go run errands. Marion, his wife of more than 30 years, says he left his cell phone at home, and only had his wallet, a light jacket, and his white Chevy van wiith him.
As the day stretched into night, Marion contacted police, and let all of his friends know. Wednesday, posters were made, and his friends distributed them around Butte County. Thursday morning, Thanksgiving Day, his daughter had arrived by plane from Idaho. His friends were still hopeful he'd be found alive, and a pilot offered to search for John using his private plane.
Late Thursday, a helicopter from Butte County Search and Rescue spotted Dewar's van near the town of Inskip in Plumas County, but he was not with the van. The search was called off for the night. Friday morning, teams from Plumas and Butte counties brought in search dogs and located Dewar alive. He was rushed to Feather River Hospital in good condition. Doctors told his family his vital signs were good, but he could not remember his ordeal. It's not clear if Dewar went to Inskip on purpose to camp by himself, or if he got disoriented.
His wife says he had been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment. His friends are planning a warm welcome home.
