A man missing more than two days on St. Thomas was found Saturday morning by police, dehydrated but otherwise well, according to the V.I. Police Department.
Relatives of Julien Venzen told police Thursday that the 64-year-old had been missing from his home since Wednesday afternoon. Police launched an all-points search for the man, and local media ran request for assistance from the general public.
Late Friday afternoon a caller to a local radio show reported that a relative of hers had seen an individual fitting Venzen’s description, along with the description of two dogs seen with the man. Based on that call, acting Police Commissioner Rodney Querrard, along with a relative of Venzen, traveled to the area where he was last seen and began an inspection. The radio caller was contacted, and she told police the dogs had been seen in the area as recently as that day.
Because darkness was falling and tools would be needed to further conduct a thorough search, the searchers decided to return the following morning with more assistance.
The following morning, officers assigned to Special Operations and K-9 began a search of the area and found Venzen in thick brush downhill from where he had last been seen. Venzen was severely dehydrated but alive.
St. Thomas Rescue personnel were called to assist with stabilizing Venzen at the location and assisted in bringing him to a waiting ambulance.
Querrard praised the efforts that led to finding Venzen.
"There is no doubt in my mind that the officers who located Mr. Venzen saved his life," Querrard said. "Where he was located is not normally used by anyone, and completely out of the way. If one more day had passed, the outcome would have turned out differently.”
“The officers who located Mr. Venzen exemplified what it takes to be caring, dedicated officers, doing whatever it takes to get the mission accomplished. St. Thomas Rescue personnel did a great job in stabilizing Mr. Venzen, and were steadfast in insuring that he be brought out safe to a waiting ambulance. This is what I call teamwork," Querrard said.
The police announcement did not specify on what part of St. Thomas Venzen was found, nor how far it is from his home.
