It is now day four of the search for David Lamar Brown. On Wednesday, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office announced via press release that they received a call regarding Brown on August 13. The caller noted that the 70-year-old male had last been seen walking the caller’s dog in a wooded area on Batten Road in Brooksville between Deerfly Road and Family Lane.
Credit: HCSO
The caller stated that he had been walking with Brown in the wooded area before briefly leaving Brown to retrieve something from home. The caller had left the now missing man “to continue exploring” the woods with the dog. However, the dog made a surprise appearance back at the caller’s house before he could return to the elderly man’s prior location. Despite searching the surrounding area for several hours, the caller was unable to locate Brown.
That is when the sheriff’s office got involved. According to a Thursday update posted on Facebook by the HCSO, authorities are carrying out organized grid searches throughout that area of the city. Deputies are utilizing patrols, K-9 teams, drones and aviation to assist in the search.
Upon receiving the concerning news, the HCSO Civilian Mounted Unit and the Aviation Unit were dispatched. Authorities spoke with residents in the area and those with surveillance cameras were willing to review their logs and turnover footage of Brown to deputies. The recordings placed Brown walking through the wooded area at approximately 10:40 am and then revealed that he was heading southbound toward Hayman Road.
The HCSO also requested the aid of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, the press release noted. Pasco obliged, dispatched their bloodhound team, and “searched the area extensively.” However, they, too, came up empty-handed. Throughout the night, the search continued from above as the aviation unit and the deputies’ drones were equipped with infrared capabilities. Unfortunately, no heat signatures were found.
The search continues with various resources from departments such as the HCSO, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO), the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Hernando County Fire Rescue (HCFR), and volunteers from the HCSO Sheriff’s Emergency Response Volunteer team (SERV).
The sheriff’s office urges those who live in the area to call 9-1-1 or contact the HCSO at (352) 754-6830 if they see, have spotted, or supplied a ride to Mr. Brown in the last few days. Residents are advised to check their properties in sheds, outbuildings, parked vehicles, and other shrub-filled areas. As the elderly Brown suffers from significant health issues, his location is even more pressing as it may be an emergency. Below is a full description of David Lamar Brown as of Wednesday’s press release:
- White/Male
- Approximately 70 years old
- Grey hair
- Grey goatee
- Thin build
- White shirt with blue stripes (ripped on the back)
- Blue shorts
- No shoes
- Possibly one sock (was originally wearing shoes, though surveillance footage shows only one sock and no shoes)
According to the latest update from the Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 16,
“Despite an extensive search by law enforcement by multiple agencies since Tuesday, Missing Person David Lamar Brown has still not been located.
“The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office plans to conduct a modified search for Mr. Brown throughout the weekend, which will include drones, K-9s, and some ground searches.
“The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office has received several requests from the public to assist in the search. Anyone interested in helping search for Mr. Brown along the public right-of-ways of Powell Road, Batten Road, and Hayman Road is welcome to do so starting on Saturday.
“A special volunteer area will be at the Community Bible Church, 5041 Griffin Road, Brooksville. The HCSO volunteer coordinator will be present starting at 7:30 a.m. Saturday to provide maps of the area and offer suggestions of areas to search.
“Anyone who plans to assist in the search for Mr. Brown is advised to stay on public right-of-ways while conducting their search.
“Anyone who spots anything suspicious is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 352-754-6830.”
