‘Murphy’ found close to where he was last seen, after being missing for eight days; some concerned about his mental health

A day after a $5,000 reward was offered for information leading to the whereabouts of George “Murphy” James, he was found.

Reports say the 71-year-old New Winthorpes man was spotted by a friend – who was not among the search party looking for James –  in the area of Weirs Estate, close to where he was last seen in the vicinity of the Sir Vivian Richards Ground.

Reportedly, he was seen at about 9:55 a.m. on Wednesday, February 15.

Family members are happy that James was found alive and unharmed after being missing for the past eight days.

However, the Emergency Medical Service (EMS), along with the Police and other agencies, was summoned to the area as investigations into the matter continue.

Media reports claim that James appears to be in reasonably good health, except for being dehydrated and having minor bruises about the body.  Reportedly he was transported to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre for further medical attention.

In the meantime, some people are wondering whether James has an undiagnosed medical condition – such as Alzheimers, a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior – which has not manifested before.  

Others are asking where he has been sleeping and eating since he went missing more than a week ago, given that he appears to be in good health.

It was only on Tuesday, February 14, that the parliamentary representative for St. Peter, Asot Michael, offered a reward as part of the effort to locate the missing man.

Prior to that, the Police had conducted several mobile patrols in a number of areas in search of James, who was last seen on the morning of February 7.  He had gone, with a friend from his village to tend a coal kiln in the area between Weirs and Parham, north of the cricket stadium.

It was reported that James left the man there, saying he was going to the beach, but never returned or went home.