On September 2, 2013 at approximately 8:30 PM, David Welch, 54, of Manhattan, Kansas left his home in a maroon Pontiac Montana van with Kansas license plates without expressing where he was going to friends and family. Riley County Police were contacted and when made aware, checked areas around Manhattan for Welch but were unsuccessful in locating him. At the time of the initial call to police, there was no reason to believe that he was in danger. On September 3, 2013, police were contacted by Welch’s family and informed that he had not returned home. At this time officers confirmed that there was no reason to believe Welch was currently in danger of harm or had known medical issues that may cause him to be in danger.  Riley County Police notified law enforcement agencies in areas around the country where it was possible that Welch may have gone. A police information report for missing persons was filed on September 6, 2013.

Welch’s wife, who is an assistant professor at Kansas State University, is asking for the public’s help in locating her husband. Kelly Welsh, with the university’s Department of Family Studies and Human Services, posted on Twitter that her husband has not had his medication and might be suffering from dementia.

Riley County police officer Matthew Droge says police have determined Dave Welch was not a crime victim and he had not done anything illegal by leaving. His name has been added to a national law enforcement database for missing people.