NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio — 6:15 Update:
3News reporter Emma Henderson confirmed with the New Franklin Police Department that Joseph Latona was found deceased in Turkeyfoot Lake on Saturday.
New Franklin police released a statement that can be seen below.
"We are sad to report that Joseph Latona has been located in Turkeyfoot Lake deceased. The family appreciates everyone's support and effort in searching for Joseph but would like some privacy at this time. The New Franklin Police/ Fire would like to thank all agencies and citizens that assisted in the search for Joseph. We offer our condolences to the Latona family."
Editor's Note: The video above was from 3News' coverage of this story before it was known that Latona was found deceased.
Original Story:
“Joseph is still missing.”
That was the update from New Franklin police late Friday night as authorities from multiple agencies have been searching for a missing 90-year-old man identified as Joseph Latona.
The New Franklin Police Department says teams – including citizens – “thoroughly searched the Portage Lakes State Park and adjacent neighborhoods” with teams on foot, mounted units, K-9s and drones.
Waterways surrounding the area were also checked with boat patrol and sonar.
As of Saturday morning, New Franklin police say they "have expanded our search area greatly." They're asking anybody interested in joining the search effort to visit the police station at 5611 Manchester Road to pick up a map. Each map is divided into four sections.
"Please pick an area to search and let our dispatch know what area you are searching (330-882-3281)," police wrote on Facebook.
“We appreciate everyone’s assistance who was able to come out and help,” police noted on Facebook. “For those wanting to help, we would ask you to extend further from the State Park area, looking in vacant lots and abandoned structures.”
The ongoing search for Latona comes as police say he went missing after leaving his New Franklin home near the Portage Lakes State Park for a walk around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21. He’s described as 5’8” tall and weighs 140 pounds. The only clothing description was that he was wearing a pair of blue jeans.
Police have also asked homeowners in the area of Zeletta, Tait, Peggy Ann and Fawn to check their back yards, sheds and outbuildings. Portage Lakes State Park was also temporarily closed amid the search.
Anybody with information is asked to call New Franklin police at 330-882-3281.
The department has been sharing time-stamped updates on Facebook throughout their search, which you can see in the post below:
