On 09/25/12 at approx. 9:42 AM the Calaveras Sheriffs Office
located the 79 year old Duane Gates. The Sheriff s Office received a phone call from a
resident in the Boston Yale subdivision stating that they had located Mr. Gates.
Paramedics, firefighters and sheriff s deputies responded to the bottom of a small hill in
the subdivision where Mr. Gates was located. He was conscious and aware, but unable to
provide a statement to investigators. On 09/24/12 search and rescue team members,
search dogs, and a helicopter searched this area, but found no sign ofMr. Gates. The
investigation so far points towards Mr. Gates having walked away from his home to an
unknown destination on or about 09/23/12. He then likely returned to the area during the
night of 09/24/12, where he was found this morning approx. 1/4 mile from his house. Mr.
Gates was taken to a Modesto area hospital for evaluation and treatment of an injury to
his arm (no further information will be released on the injury). Calaveras Sheriffs
Detectives will interview Mr. Gates at a later date to determine the circumstances behind
his disappearance. There is no evidence that foul play is involved.
