Man's Mysterious Disappearance Prompts Massive Search in Hernando Beach

HERNANDO BEACH – The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is searching area of Comanerp Entra in Hernando Beach, after an elderly man disappeared early this morning.

According to officials, 74-year-old Richard Joseph Adolphe Paquet and his wife recently moved to the area from Nova Scotia, Canada.

On May 3. 2022, Paquet was involved in a minor vehicle crash in the city of Brooksville but no one was injured in the crash.

Later that evening, Paquet backed his pewter-colored panel van into the driveway of 4039 Companero Entra, a residence that is not known to the Paquet's.

The residents did not know the van was in their driveway until early this morning and contacted law enforcement. Upon arrival, deputies met with Paquet's wife who appeared to be disoriented and told deputies they stopped in the driveway to sleep. When she woke up this morning, her husband was gone.

Officials say Paquet disappeared sometime between midnight and 7:30 a.m. this morning.

Paquet is not known to have any medical or mental health issues, but it is unknown if he may have suffered a medical episode prior to his disappearance.

Paquet is described as a White Male, 5'5", 150 lbs., brown hair, brown eyes, and was wearing a maroon shirt with black pants at the time of his disappearance.

Paquet left his wallet and cell phone in the van.

Anyone with information is asked to call 9-1-1 or the Hernando County Sheriff's Office at 352-754-6830.