Florida Issues Purple Alert for Missing 67-Year-Old Man

A Purple Alert was issued on March 24, 2026, for William Pickett, a 67-year-old man reported missing from Leesburg, Florida. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) confirmed that Pickett was last seen around the 34000 block of Grant Avenue.

According to the alert, Pickett is described as a white male with blonde hair and blue eyes, standing approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing camouflage shorts and an unknown-colored shirt. Notably, he has a tattoo of a panther on one of his arms.

Authorities believe Pickett may be traveling within a 2019 bronze Hyundai Santa Fe, bearing Florida tag number IWZL88. This alert is part of Florida's Purple Alert system, which aims to assist law enforcement agencies and the public when adults with mental or cognitive disabilities go missing.

The Purple Alert system was established to help locate missing adults who do not qualify for a Silver Alert, which is primarily for elderly individuals with cognitive impairments like Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, the Purple Alert focuses on adults with various disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, brain injuries, and emotional or physical disabilities that are not related to substance abuse.

"The goal is to provide a standardized and coordinated community response to these situations," said a representative from the FDLE. The alerts are intended to mobilize the community, urging citizens to keep an eye out for the missing individuals.

Anyone with information about William Pickett's whereabouts is urged to contact the FDLE at 1-888-FL-MISSING (1-888-356-4774) or the Lake County Sheriff's Office at 352-343-2101. They can also dial 911 to report any sightings or information.

Florida's Purple Alert program was officially signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on July 1, 2021. It serves to fill a gap for adults who may need assistance but do not meet the criteria for existing alert systems. This initiative reflects a growing awareness of the need to protect vulnerable populations, particularly those with disabilities.

On the same day the alert was issued for Pickett, Rhode Island also marked a milestone with its own Purple Alert system. This system, which aims to improve public awareness when adults with disabilities go missing, was activated for the first time on March 16, 2026, after a 16-year-old boy was reported missing.

Rhode Island's alert system was developed following a tragic incident involving a 45-year-old autistic woman who went missing from Cranston and was later found days later. Cranston Police Major Todd Patalano, who played a key role behind the legislation, emphasized that public awareness is a cornerstone of the initiative.

"We can put out a broadcast, and this person has a very high likelihood of being found expeditiously," Patalano stated, urging the public to take these alerts seriously, akin to how they respond to Amber and Silver Alerts.

Once a person is confirmed missing, local police collaborate with state authorities to issue a Purple Alert. These alerts are disseminated widely, appearing on highway message boards, local television and radio stations, and social media platforms. The first activation of Rhode Island's system involved local police working alongside the Rhode Island Emergency Management and state police.

Public response can play a key role, evidenced by the recent case where a Rhode Island Energy employee spotted the missing boy and alerted the police. Though it remains unclear if the Purple Alert directly led to the tip, the heightened public awareness undoubtedly contributed to the successful outcome.

Nonetheless, some advocates have raised concerns about the implementation of the alert system, particularly the public notification component. The Ocean State Center for Independent Living noted that not all aspects of the Purple Alert notification system were fully utilized during the recent incident, prompting discussions on how to improve the system.

Major Patalano acknowledged that initial challenges are common with new systems but expressed confidence that alerts will be issued quickly and effectively when necessary. "There’s always going to be kinks," he admitted, but he reassured the community that improvements will come with time and experience.

The simultaneous activation of these Purple Alerts highlights a growing commitment across states to protect vulnerable individuals and raise awareness about their potential disappearance. The community's involvement is seen to aid law enforcement and to provide a safety net for those who may be at risk.

Authorities continue to urge anyone with information about William Pickett or any other missing individuals to report it immediately. The proactive approach of the Purple Alert system seeks to bring missing persons home safely and quickly.

For residents of Florida, seeing the Purple Alert shared across various platforms is a reminder of the community's role and responsibility. The FDLE is actively working to keep the public informed and engaged, ensuring that every possible avenue is explored to locate missing individuals.