79-year-old Des Moines man with Alzheimer's disease has been missing for 2 weeks

Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Des Moines Register
·2 min read

An elderly Des Moines man has been missing for more than two weeks.

Larry Dean Freeborn, Sr., 79, was reported missing from his home on the east side on Aug. 12 and has not been seen or heard from since.

According to a tweet from the Des Moines Police Department, Larry called home around 5 p.m. on the day he went missing and was given directions from Maxwell to Des Moines.

He was later spotted at a Casey's convenience store in Monroe at 6:26 p.m. Officials then said he was at another Casey's in Melcher-Dallas between 7:20 p.m. and 7:26 p.m.

There has been no activity on Larry's bank accounts since Aug. 12 and he does not have a cell phone, according to police.

Des Moines Police ask the public to keep an eye out for Larry Dean Freeborn, Sr.
Des Moines Police ask the public to keep an eye out for Larry Dean Freeborn, Sr.

'There isn't a rock that I have not overturned'

His brother, 64-year-old Melvin Freeborn, said he's added 2,000 miles to his car since Larry went missing. A family friend even took a crop duster out and searched for four hours with no luck.

"I get up early and take off, start driving and start looking because he's gotta sleep somewhere," Melvin said. "I've checked motels, I've checked truck stops and I can't spot that car."

Melvin said Larry has Alzheimer's disease and lives with his son. He takes a plethora of daily medications for his health. Having run out, it's crucial that he's found soon, his brother said.

"Larry has medical issues that bring on extended bouts of confusion and he may not be able to find his way home," Des Moines police said on Twitter.

Larry Freeborn and his granddaughter Odyessey Kay-Lee
Larry Freeborn and his granddaughter Odyessey Kay-Lee

Melvin has been calling authorities every day to put pressure on the case and said he is in the process of getting Larry's credit cards checked for activity. In the meantime, he spends his days driving around where Larry might have driven, as well as the personally significant locations where Larry may have gone.

"There isn't a rock that I have not overturned," he said.

Melvin is going back to Melcher-Dallas on Monday with his wife to check two roads he has yet to search.

Larry is driving a green 2007 Ford Focus, with Iowa license plate LHR 645. Officials ask anyone who has seen Larry to call 911.

Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter@NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: 79-year-old Des Moines man with Alzheimer's missing for 2 weeks