July 29, 2025 – 4:01 p.m.
HAYWARD, Wis. (WFRV) – Officials say that the Silver Alert for Donald James Hoeft has been canceled, as he was found safely.
No additional information was provided.
Silver Alert issued for 72-year-old man missing from northwest Wisconsin, last seen leaving hospital
July 29, 2025 – 1:46 p.m.
HAYWARD, Wis. (WFRV) – A Silver Alert has been issued for a 72-year-old man who was reported missing by his wife after he dropped her off at a hospital on Monday night, July 28.
According to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, officials are searching for Donald James Hoeft, who was last seen exiting Tamarack Health Hayward Hospital.
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Hoeft reportedly drove his wife to the hospital and left around 11 p.m. in a silver 2018 Jeep Compass and a small white dog in the vehicle; his wife believed he would be coming right back after going to the gas station.
The vehicle has a Wisconsin license plate No. APK-5619. Hoeft is listed as a White man who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 184 pounds with blue eyes and gray/partially gray medium-length hair.
He was last seen in a tan t-shirt, blue overalls, black shoes, wire-frame glasses with a gold wrist watch. The vehicle was spotted on cameras and last seen northbound on Highway 63 in Cable, Wisconsin.
Local 5 will update this story with an image of Hoeft if one becomes available.
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Anybody with information who may spot Hoeft is urged to contact the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office at (715) 634-4858. Officials say Hoeft is believed to have dementia.
No additional information is available.
