Search and rescue crews in Nome have located 67-year-old Dexter Irrigoo, who was reported missing from the Norton Sound Regional Hospital patient hostel on Sunday morning, June 1st. Irrigoo was found just east of town in the afternoon on Monday, June 2nd.
Irrigoo is from Gambell, on St. Lawrence Island, and has dementia, according to the local fire department.
The search was led by Nome Volunteer Fire Department’s Search and Rescue (SAR) and involved Alaska State Troopers, the City of Nome’s office and City of Nome Public Works, Nome Police Department, Norton Sound Regional Hospital, and many community volunteers.
On Sunday and into Monday, searchers walked Nome’s streets from the harbor, along Front Street and east to Fort Davis. Search and rescue crews also used helicopters and drones to assist. They also scanned hours worth of building security camera footage, following Irrigoo’s suspected path from the hostel Sunday morning.
Nome Search and Rescue thanked the efforts of all the volunteers and searchers who contributed to locating Irrigoo.
At the time of this story, search and rescue has not yet responded to a request for further information.
