Infrared heat seeking tech used to locate missing man in Malibu

LOS ANGELES - Newly acquired infrared heat-seeking technology was used to help locate an elderly man who went missing in Malibu. 

On Monday, December 23, around 7:30 p.m., the Malibu Search and Rescue Team (SAR) was requested to help search for a 78-year-old man who was reported missing from his home. 

A caller said he went to retrieve his mail from the mailbox around 4:30 p.m. and never returned. 

The man, who was not identified, suffers from early onset dementia. 

As teams began searching for him, Malibu SAR and the sheriff's department deployed several FAA certified UAS drone pilots. One of those drones is equipped with infrared heat seeking technology (FLIR). 

After deploying the UAS, the pilot noticed a significant heat signature on the side of the roadway in thick brush.

Officials quickly identified the motionless heat signature as the missing man.

Rescue teams said the man was suffering from a cold related illness, confused and unable to walk. He was evaluated and placed in an ambulance for evaluation.

No major injuries were reported. 

"This UAS deployment proved the incredible value that these newly adopted tools provide for our search and rescue operations," the team wrote in a social media post.