WESTLAND, Mich. – Gone in seconds without ID, without medication
More than a year after James Sanford walked away from his Westland home, his wife believes someone may have seen him -- maybe even helped him -- without realizing he was missing.
Pamela Sanford, James’ wife of 27 years, is desperate for answers. She hopes someone recognizes her husband because he may not know who he is.
Just like that, he was gone
“He was walking out the back door and I came out the front,” Pam said. “He was gone that fast.”
James Sanford, 75 years old at the time, vanished the afternoon of April 8, 2024, from Westland.
“We thought he went into a building because we live in a complex — they all look alike,” Pam said.
The two had been preparing to leave for a doctor’s appointment. Pam was helping James zip up his coat when she said he grew agitated.
“He got agitated because he didn’t want me to zip it up and then he’s like, ‘I’m going out the door,’ and I’m like, ‘Go ahead.’”
Pam didn’t think anything of it at the time, but moments later, she couldn’t find him. James disappeared from Westwood Circle, inside the Westwood Village apartments near Joy and Newburgh in Westland. James, who has dementia, left on foot — alone and without his crucial medication.
“During the day he’s pretty much OK,” Pam said. “He’ll forget people’s names or he’ll look at you like, ‘I know you,’ but he can’t place where.”
A desperate search
Michigan State Police searched from the air. Westland Police scoured the area on the ground with thermal imaging. Still, no sign of James.
And tips trickled in to police, through social media and to Pam directly.
“And we would run around… but it’s not him,” she said.
Some leads turned out to be cruel scams. One person offered Pam money for information but it turned out, they appeared to be preying on Pam and other grieving families, she said.
“The police said do not listen to it because this person has done it to four other people,” she said.
Holding on to hope
Still, every day, Pam keeps looking. Searching hospitals. Nursing homes. Scanning the streets. Praying someone has seen him — or that James is safe somewhere, not even aware that he’s being searched for.
If you recognize James Sanford, have seen him, or work in a care facility or hospital where he might be, please call the Westland Police Department at 734-722-9600.
