LARGO, Fla. — The search continues for an 87-year-old man who disappeared after walking out of his family’s apartment early Friday morning.
What You Need To Know
Petro Kuqo, 87, was last seen at a complex at 1845 Oak Trail West
He left his home while family members slept, according to investigators
Petro has dementia and doesn’t speak English
Anyone with information is asked to call Largo police at (727) 587-6730
Largo police say Petro Kuqo was last seen around 9 a.m. near his home at 1845 Oak Trail West, inside an apartment complex near U.S. 19, about a mile north of East Bay Drive.
Police are using K-9 units, drones, helicopters and ground search crews to comb a roughly one-mile radius around the area where Kuqo was last seen. A command center has been set up as officers and volunteers continue the search.
Kuqo is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing about 163 pounds. He was last seen wearing dark gray sweatpants and a gray sweatshirt. Family members say he is Albanian, does not speak English and has dementia.
Surveillance video shows Kuqo walking through the apartment complex, but that footage is the last confirmed sighting of him.
“The corner up here is the last place he was seen on camera,” said his granddaughter, Elena Mita. “There’s a Ring doorbell camera from these apartments and a gas station that caught him walking this way, but that’s the last time anyone has seen him.”
Mita says the apartment complex is fenced in, adding to the family’s confusion and frustration.
“It’s completely fenced in, and there are no gaps whatsoever where he could have gotten out,” she said. “We’re just really confused on what else to do at this point.”
Since Friday, Mita and other family members have been walking throughout the complex, hoping to find any sign of Kuqo.
“We’re just asking people to keep sharing and getting the word out,” Mita said. “Maybe someone remembers what they saw.”
Volunteers have also joined the search. Debby LaCroix, who lives in Indian Shores, came to help after hearing about Kuqo’s disappearance.
“It’s kind of scary,” LaCroix said. “He is very old, and I’m just praying for the best.”
Police say they are checking all available surveillance cameras in the area and contacting local hospitals, but so far, there have been no leads.
“It’s really hard, especially since we haven’t gotten any clues,” Mita said. “It’s just really strange that he has vanished like this. So many things are running through our minds, but it’s impossible to know what has happened at this point.”
The family says all they can do now is hope and pray that Kuqo is found.
Anyone with information about Petro Kuqo’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Largo Police Department.