The search for Matthew Bailey, a 68-year-old man from Collier County, has entered its sixth day with a new layer of specialized assistance. Bailey, who suffers from a traumatic brain injury that leads to wandering, was last seen in the early hours of Friday wearing only a jacket and underwear.
Key Details of the Search
-
The Technology: Bailey was wearing an AirTag around his neck, which pinged its last known location near Holly Avenue and Bayshore Drive before the signal was lost.
-
The New Team: A private investigation group called “We Are The Essentials”—comprising former military and law enforcement personnel—has joined the Collier County Sheriff’s Office to assist in the search.
-
The Strategy: The team is currently split between a rescue mission (operating on the hope that he is still alive and finding ways he may have survived the cold) and a recovery mission to provide closure for the family.
-
Potential Trigger: His family believes his disappearance may have been triggered by the anniversary of his late sister’s birthday.
The community and search teams remain high-alert, focusing on heavily wooded areas about a mile from his home.
For more details, you can read the full report: Private investigators join search for missing Collier man.