A 62-year-old Illinois man missing for seven days was found alive over the weekend, ending a tense, multi-agency search that mobilized drones, divers, boats, and dozens of volunteers across St. Clair County, Illinois.
William “Bill” Crispin, of Swansea, was discovered Saturday morning lying on private property less than a mile from where he was last seen.
Why It Matters
Crispin was last seen leaving his independent living facility on the afternoon of August 23 to visit a local store but never returned. Surveillance and witness reports placed him along Frank Scott Parkway near Christ Church in Fairview Heights.
The search had gripped the small Illinois community and involved over 60 citizens, police, fire officials, and regional emergency services, including the Missouri Valley Search and Rescue team.
What To Know
Crispin’s disappearance prompted a large-scale search involving Swansea Police and Fire, St. Clair County Emergency Management, Fairview Heights Police, and other agencies. Crews used drones, K9 units, divers, and volunteers to scour parks, woods, and cornfields.
“He looked really good for being out there seven days,” said Steven Wake, the volunteer who found him. “It’s a miracle… finding him alive after seven days of missing, just a few hours shy of that,” he told First Alert 4.
Emergency responders cut through brush to reach Crispin before taking him for medical care. Swansea Deputy Chief Keith Howard said they believe he became disoriented and couldn’t find his way back.
“No stone was left unturned, and persistent efforts led to this great outcome,” Mayor Jeff Park told KMOV.
Howard said Crispin’s vitals were “amazingly good.”
Lake County officials have since cited an increase in water-related emergencies—including fatalities—and called for more funding for search and rescue operations. In just one weekend, 12 water rescue incidents were reported across the Chicago area, further straining resources.
What People Are Saying
Steven Wake, who had never met Crispin before, told KMOV: “If four or five of us didn’t show up, we may not have found him. It may have been a whole different situation.”
Swansea Deputy Chief Keith Howard told KMOV: “We had EMS come in and we had to cut through the brush to get Mr. Crispin out of the location that he was in, but we got him to medical care today.”
What Happens Next
Crispin received medical attention for dehydration after he was transported out of the brush by volunteers and emergency staff and local officials publicly thanked volunteers and responders for their work during the weeklong search.
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