Nova Scotia

Missing 77-year-old Cape Breton man found safe

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Michael Charles Mercer is pictured. (Courtesy Angela Mercer-Penny)
Michael Charles Mercer is pictured. (Courtesy: Angela Mercer-Penny)

An elderly man who was reported missing in Cape Breton has been found safe after an extensive search Thursday morning.

Michael Charles Mercer, 77, left his home on Berthelot Crescent in Coxheath, N.S., overnight, according to a Facebook post by Cape Breton Regional Police.

At the time, police said they believed he was only wearing a T-shirt and slippers.

Police issued an emergency alert around noon on Thursday and provided an update on Facebook, stating Mercer has been found safe.

No other details, including the man’s health condition, have been released at this time.

Disappearance prompted emergency alert

Mercer’s daughter, Angela Mercer-Penny, told CTV News she noticed her father was missing just after 2 a.m. Thursday. He was reported missing to police at 2:45 a.m.

She said he has Alzheimer’s and has disappeared before, but has always been found within a short period of time.

Police issued an emergency alert asking people to keep an eye out for Mercer early Thursday morning.

Cape Breton Search and Rescue assisted police with the search. A command centre was established off Mountain Road in Coxheath.

A command centre off Mountain Road in Coxheath, NS., is pictured during the search for Michael Charles Mercer. (Ryan MacDonald/CTV Atlantic)
Search command centre A command centre off Mountain Road in Coxheath, NS., is pictured during the search for Michael Charles Mercer. (Ryan MacDonald/CTV Atlantic)

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