Missing Clearwater Man Found Cold, But OK

CLEARWATER, FL — An eagle-eyed cemetery worker is getting the credit for finding a missing 82-year-old Clearwater man.

According to the Clearwater Police Department, Bob Taylor was found around 9:44 a.m. Wednesday at the northeast corner of Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, just across from his Regency Oaks South home.

“Cemetery worker Dennis Johnson spotted a clump of color at the edge of the woods and went to investigate and found the 82-year-old man laying there,” an email from the police department said. “He was able to talk but was extremely cold.”

Detective Thomas Dawe arrived on the scene and “scooped him up from his position in the wet, shaded area and carried him to an area of sunshine in an attempt to warm him up. Taylor was covered with a variety of coats, jackets and sweaters as Dawe tried to rub his body to make him warmer.”

Clearwater Fire & Rescue paramedics arrived on the scene shortly afterwards, along with Taylor’s family. He was taken to Mease Countryside Hospital for treatment.

Taylor was reported missing Tuesday evening. That report sparked an intensive search for the man that included bloodhounds from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and a helicopter.

“The Clearwater Police Department would like to thank Sylvan Abbey workers, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the general public for their assistance in this case.”

Photo courtesy of the Clearwater Police Department