Santa Monica, California — Authorities have issued a Silver Alert for an at-risk elderly man who went missing earlier this week, prompting an urgent search by local police and the California Highway Patrol.
Chung Cho, 83, was last seen on the evening of June 17 around 8 p.m. in Santa Monica, located in Los Angeles County.
Investigators believe he left the area on foot, raising concern given his age and the amount of time that has passed since he was last spotted.
Cho is described as standing about 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 120 pounds. He has black hair and black eyes.
At the time he disappeared, he was wearing pink trousers and a pink hooded jacket, distinctive clothing that officials hope will help witnesses identify him quickly if spotted in public.
The Santa Monica Police Department is working alongside the California Highway Patrol to coordinate the search and circulate the alert across the region.
Silver Alerts are typically issued when an elderly or cognitively impaired individual goes missing under circumstances that suggest they may be in danger or unable to return home safely on their own.
How the Public Can Help
Officials are asking anyone who sees Cho not to approach or attempt to make contact with him directly.
Instead, the public is urged to call 911 immediately and provide dispatchers with his exact location, a description of his physical condition, and details about what he is wearing.
Community groups dedicated to locating missing individuals have also stepped in to help spread the word. Pages such as Spotlight: Missing Persons have shared the alert widely on social media, pointing to the growing role platforms like Facebook play in reuniting families with missing loved ones.
A single post shared across a network can reach thousands of people within hours, often leading to tips that traditional methods might miss.
Organizers behind these awareness campaigns note that timing matters most in cases involving elderly individuals who may be confused, disoriented, or unfamiliar with their surroundings after wandering away from home.
The faster a description circulates, the higher the likelihood that someone nearby will recognize the person and alert authorities before the situation becomes more dangerous.
Members of the public reacted to the post with messages of concern and support, many asking others to share the alert further and offering prayers for a safe return.
Local residents in the Santa Monica area are being asked to stay alert, particularly along walking routes, parks, transit stops, and other public spaces where an elderly man on foot might pass through.
Anyone with information about Cho’s whereabouts is strongly encouraged to contact 911 right away rather than waiting or attempting to handle the situation personally.
Authorities emphasize that quick, direct communication with emergency dispatchers gives responders the best chance of locating him safely.
As of now, no further updates have been released, and the search remains active. Community members are continuing to share the alert in hopes that someone in the area may have seen him and can provide the lead needed to bring him home.
