Search & Rescue Teams, K9s, Locate Missing Autistic Man, 50, Unresponsive But Alive In Edgewood Park

NEW HAVEN, CT — Derrick Hirscht, 50, was last seen walking west on Edgewood Avenue toward Edgewood Park, where he often walks, just before 10:30 p.m. Wednesday night.

He did not return home from that walk. Hirscht is autistic and have severe mental health challenges.

Thursday, New Haven Police Department Special Victims Unit officers were notified he was missing. Given he regularly visited the park, that was the area where first responders would search, police said.

Under the supervision of Sgt. John Moore, SVU detectives began canvassing the park on foot and using drones.

The initial search was unsuccessful. Around 10 a.m., Friday, the volunteer Oxford EMS K9 Search and Rescue Team responded to assist.

In addition to the detectives and police officers on the ground, six Oxford K9s were deployed. And, members of the the New Haven Fire Department also became part of the search, and the department provided all-terrain vehicles to supplement the detectives and officers on the ground

Teams searched for around four hours and then found Hirscht near the duck pond, lying face down and concealed within a heavily overgrown area of weeds and grass, unresponsive but breathing faintly, police said.

Taken to Yale New Haven Hospital for treatment, police said late Friday night that Hirscht was in stable condition.

"The successful outcome highlights the importance of interagency collaboration, specialized resources, and the dedication of first responders working together to protect and locate vulnerable members of our community," Moore said.

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New Haven Special Victims Detectives Seek Help In Finding Missing Autistic Man: NHPD