CLEARLAKE — A night-long search for a missing 91-year-old Clearlake man ended with favored results Tuesday morning. Russell Eckels was located around 8 a.m. and transported to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake for treatment.
According to Clearlake Police Sgt. Tim Celli, response was requested at approximately 12:47 a.m. when Eckel”s wife discovered he was missing from their 43rd Avenue home. The woman said she last saw her husband at about 8:30 p.m. when she went to bed and when she woke around 12:40 a.m. she discovered he not in the residence.
Celli said it was believed that Eckels was possibly armed with a handgun that was thought to be missing from the home. He said there were no indications that Eckels was suicidal and “Be On the Look Out” bulletins were issued to surround law enforcement agencies.
Celli said Clearlake police officers along with Lake County Sheriff”s deputies searched the Chapman Tract area throughout the night. Eckels was ultimately located on the 4100 block of Eureka.
Celli said the areas around Eckels” residence were searched for the reported missing handgun, but it was not located. He said it is unknown if Eckels actually had a handgun when he left the residence. The Clearlake Police Department would like to remind citizens that if any weapon is located to contact police immediately.
