Search underway for man missing from Saanich mental health facility near Mt. Douglas

Saanich Police officers, along with volunteer search and rescue teams, have been working to locate Sean Hart – a man that went missing from the Seven Oaks Tertiary Mental Health Facility on November 6.

According to police, he unexpectedly went missing from the health centre – located in Saanich – three weeks ago and has not been seen since.

Police say that Hart has been reported as missing in the past, however, he has either been found or returned on his own accord within a few days.

His mother says this is his third time going missing

“He has done this before, however not past six days,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades of Saanich police. “Now we are on day 20, certainty we are very concerned, my understanding with schizophrenia is he could be in a manic state.”

Police say investigators have been “working around the clock” in their efforts to locate Hart, but have been unsuccessful to this point.

Hart’s mom flew in from Calgary to help.

“I’m really concerned where he is,” said Penny Hart. “Typically what Sean does this he will take his shoes off and he will walk and walk for miles, he has been known to get of the ferry in Vancouver last time he went a-w-o-l-l and walked all the way to north Vancouver He just does not stop.”

Officers have engaged the services of Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization (PEMO) Search and Rescue to begin looking for Hart in areas of Greater Victoria.

“There are areas that are steep, there are areas that are slippery,” said Jack Johnson, Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization search manager.

‘There are all kinds of things we could get into, but the weather has cooperated and we hopefully will have it completed today.”

On Thursday, crews were out searching for Hart in the area around Mount Doug – close to where the Seven Oaks Tertiary Mental Health Facility is located.

Penny says he should be easy to spot, and that he is usually on medication but when off his episodes are severe, she says all he is trying to do is run away and isolate himself from others.

“He is going to be acting really radical,” she said. “He will draw attention to himself, he will be talking to himself very loudly. Like someone has got to see him, and they haven’t and that’s my concern.”

The park is popular and the area is surrounded by homes, giving hope someone will spot him.

READ MORE: Environment Canada issues heavy rainfall warning, wind warning for parts of Vancouver Island

The 34-year old Hart is described as Caucasian, 6’0” tall and very thin with blue eyes and long, curly brown-reddish hair. Police add that he was last seen last dressed in black clothing.

“We would like to thank the public for the tips we have received thus far, and we hope that this release creates even more awareness to help find Sean and bring him home safely,” said Cst. Anastasiades in the press release.

Cst. Anastasiades also is emphasizing to the public that if Hart is spotted, he should not be approached. According to police, he will require immediate medical attention as he lives with schizophrenia and has not received his medication. The public is being asked instead to keep an eye on him and call 9-1-1.

Editorial Policies Report an Error