Gale Ralph Keilman, age 56, went missing on August 17, 2015, from the Peabody Health and Rehabilitation Center in Peabody, Kansas, where he had been living. Keilman, who was mute but communicated through writing and sign language, climbed over a tall wooden fence surrounding the facility’s patio and left the property around 10:30 p.m. Despite an immediate search by staff and law enforcement, he was never seen again.
Keilman had a complex medical history, including severe schizophrenia following a high-voltage electrocution accident in 1980, which significantly affected his mental health. Additionally, a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1983 left him partially paralyzed and unable to speak. His family had struggled for decades to find appropriate care for him, and he had been in and out of multiple facilities. At the time of his disappearance, Keilman was without his medication, which likely exacerbated his disorientation and fear.
Extensive search efforts were launched, covering over 200 square miles around Peabody, but no trace of him was found. His family, particularly his mother, continued to hold out hope, imagining different scenarios where he might have survived, although they also feared the worst. Despite the involvement of law enforcement and volunteers, Keilman’s whereabouts remain unknown, and his case remains unsolved.
Authorities encourage anyone with information to contact the Peabody Police Department.Last Seen: Aug 17, 2015
