The Vanishing of Ruben Wilson: A Dementia Patient’s Disappearance That Still Haunts Englewood

A Familiar Morning Turns Mysterious

On the morning of May 27, 2020, 68-year-old Ruben Wilson left his home near West Palisade Avenue and Teaneck Road in Englewood, New Jersey, around 6:30 a.m. . He did not wake his son, Shalom Kennedy, with whom he shared a daily routine of having coffee together at 8:30 a.m. Initially, Kennedy assumed his father had gone to a nearby convenience store, but when employees reported not seeing Wilson that day, concern grew. Wilson, who suffered from early-onset dementia and depression, had a history of wandering off, sometimes traveling significant distances, including a previous incident where he drove 67 miles to Wall Township, New Jersey. However, at the time of his disappearance, he no longer had access to a vehicle.

The Search Efforts and Community Response

Following his disappearance, the Englewood Police Department initiated search efforts, including tracking dogs that followed Wilson's scent from his home toward Teaneck Road before losing the trail. Despite these efforts and public appeals for information, Wilson remained missing. The community was urged to keep Wilson and his family in their thoughts and to report any information to the police.

Theories and Speculations

Given Wilson's history and medical condition, several theories emerged regarding his disappearance. One possibility considered was that he might have attempted to return to Paterson, New Jersey, where he had worked for 30 years with the Department of Transportation. His son speculated that during a dementia episode, Wilson might have believed he needed to go to work and could have ended up among the city's homeless population. Another theory suggested he might have tried to return to his native North Carolina, possibly by convincing someone to give him a ride.

Ongoing Investigation and Public Appeals

As of the latest available information, Wilson has not been found, and his case remains unsolved. The Englewood Police Department continues to seek information from the public, urging anyone who may have seen Wilson or has knowledge of his whereabouts to contact their Detective Bureau at (201) 568-4875. Wilson was last seen wearing burgundy pants and a black New York Yankees baseball cap. He is described as a Black male, 6 feet tall, weighing between 161 and 240 pounds, with gray hair and brown eyes. ...Read More

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