Infrared Drone Locates Missing Elderly Man in Malibu Rescue

A 78-year-old man with dementia was found alive after a Christmas Eve search using thermal imaging technology in California.

The man went missing on December 23, 2024, after leaving his home in Malibu to retrieve mail and failing to return.
Authorities launched a search as temperatures dropped to 48°F, deploying drones equipped with infrared heat-seeking technology.
A drone detected a heat signature in thick brush about a quarter mile from the man’s residence, leading rescuers to his location.
The man was found disoriented, suffering from cold-related illness, and unable to walk but sustained only minor injuries from a fall.
Rescuers provided medical care on-site before transporting him to a hospital, highlighting the critical role of drones in the successful operation.