Charles J. Dowd, Retired S.F. Firefighter, Disappears After Boarding Amtrak Train
Categories: Local News
Authorities are looking for Charles J. Dowd, a San Mateo resident and former San Francisco firefighter, who mysteriously vanished after he boarded an Amtrak train in the East Bay earlier this week.
Dowd, 69, boarded a train in Emeryville on Wednesday morning with plans to change trains in Chicago on his way to Montreal to visit his son and grandchildren.
However, when the train arrived to Chicago, Dowd was not on it. Amtrak staff did find his luggage and cell phone in his sleeper car.
His family last heard from him on Thursday when he spoke with his son on the phone; however, Dowd reportedly spoke to a conductor, who described him as disoriented, around 5:15 a.m. Friday in Omaha, Neb. But that was the last time anyone reported seeing him.
According to the family's Facebook page, "Amtrak seems to think he may have gotten off the train during the night at one of the stops and perhaps was confused and didn't make it back on the train."
The train stopped overnight along the corridor in Fort Morgan, Colo.; McCook, Neb.; Holdrege, Neb.; Hasting, Neb.; Lincoln, Neb.; and Omaha, Neb.
Dowd has been taking medication for restless leg syndrome, which had been making him somewhat confused. His family is headed to Nebraska to look for him and hand out flyers.
Dowd is 5-feet-10, 175 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes. Police ask anyone with information to call (800) 331-0008.
Follow us on Twitter at @SFWeekly and @TheSnitchSF
Dowd, 69, boarded a train in Emeryville on Wednesday morning with plans to change trains in Chicago on his way to Montreal to visit his son and grandchildren.
However, when the train arrived to Chicago, Dowd was not on it. Amtrak staff did find his luggage and cell phone in his sleeper car.
His family last heard from him on Thursday when he spoke with his son on the phone; however, Dowd reportedly spoke to a conductor, who described him as disoriented, around 5:15 a.m. Friday in Omaha, Neb. But that was the last time anyone reported seeing him.
According to the family's Facebook page, "Amtrak seems to think he may have gotten off the train during the night at one of the stops and perhaps was confused and didn't make it back on the train."
The train stopped overnight along the corridor in Fort Morgan, Colo.; McCook, Neb.; Holdrege, Neb.; Hasting, Neb.; Lincoln, Neb.; and Omaha, Neb.
Dowd has been taking medication for restless leg syndrome, which had been making him somewhat confused. His family is headed to Nebraska to look for him and hand out flyers.
Dowd is 5-feet-10, 175 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes. Police ask anyone with information to call (800) 331-0008.
Follow us on Twitter at @SFWeekly and @TheSnitchSF
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