Missing Atlanta veteran found safe in Compton after FOX 11 viewer tip

LOS ANGELES – Thomas Murrell has been safely reunited with his family after wandering away from his hotel near Los Angeles International Airport just before a planned cruise. 

The 68-year-old veteran from Atlanta, who lives with dementia, was located nearly 40 hours after he was last seen.

What we know:

Murrell and his wife had traveled from Atlanta to Los Angeles to depart on a cruise. He was reported missing around 9 p.m. Sunday in the vicinity of West Century Boulevard and Avion Drive. 

Following his disappearance, the California Highway Patrol issued a Silver Alert.

On Tuesday morning, after multiple news reports by FOX 11’s Gigi Graciette on Good Day LA, a viewer recognized Murrell at a train station in Compton.

The viewer had taken a screen grab of the broadcast and showed it to authorities to confirm his identity. 

Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies located Murrell in “apparently good condition,” still wearing the same clothes he had on when he vanished.

What’s next:

The family plans to take Murrell to a local hospital for a medical evaluation to ensure he is healthy after his time on the streets. 

If he is cleared by doctors, the family intends to proceed with their vacation and catch their cruise scheduled for Thursday.