UPDATE 4:06 p.m. June 27, 2025 Information is evolving in this case, which spans two counties and several agency jurisdictions. Williams said the authorities have clarified the record.

According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Richard Bird was located by citizens on a forested road near Seven Springs, in the Tonto National Forest. An MCSO helicopter flew him to a ranger station, and he was transported by ground ambulance to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The injuries sustained were not from a car crash. They were possibly from exposure to the elements. It is not known how long he wandered the forest before he was discovered.

“It appears some details were lost … the most important thing [is] he was located and is now getting medical treatment,” Williams said.

UPDATE 2:34 p.m. June 27, 2025 Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies have found Richard Bird, who went missing yesterday, 75 miles away of his Maricopa home in a remote area northeast of Rio Verde.

Bird was found at Bartlett Lake today, according to MPD spokesperson Monica Williams, who said he was involved in a rollover crash and was transported to the hospital with injuries.

“We are grateful to our community and the law enforcement agencies across the state who assisted in locating Richard,” Williams said.

ORIGINAL 10:05 p.m. June 26, 2025 Maricopa Police Department is asking for the community’s help in locating 77-year-old Richard Bird.

His phone was tracked to Casa Grande before it ran out of battery or was turned off. His vehicle, a Nissan Altima that displays an Arizona Cardinals vanity plate reading FB27K1, was later seen in Gilbert, according to MPD. He has no known contacts in Gilbert.

Bird is described as 5-foot-7 and 164 pounds. He has gray hair and blue eyes. What Bird was wearing when he disappeared is unknown.

He is considered “at risk” as he has medical conditions requiring medication and has dementia. As a result, he may be disoriented, said police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact MPD at 520-568-3673 or dial 911.