> At a Glance
> – Leonard Mercury, 57, walked out of Heywood Hospital at 2 a.m. on Oct. 31 and has not been seen since
> – He was on a Section 12 mental-health hold and reportedly broke a window, reached the roof, then fled barefoot into nearby woods
> – Nicole La Guerre has started a GoFundMe to hire private investigators, saying the family lives in “heartbreak and uncertainty”
> – Why it matters: A two-month search by police and volunteers has yielded no trace, highlighting gaps in securing at-risk patients
Two months after Leonard Mercury vanished from a Massachusetts hospital in hospital scrubs and no shoes, his wife continues daily searches around the facility and has turned to crowdfunding to keep the investigation alive.
The Disappearance
Security and police reports say Mercury, who had been admitted for mental-health care, shattered a window, climbed to the roof, leapt to the ground and ran into the woods behind Heywood Hospital in Gardner. The 57-year-old was last seen on surveillance at about 2 a.m. on Oct. 31.
Search teams, including Gardner Police and volunteers, have scoured the adjacent woodland and parts of a nearby lake without finding clothing, footprints or any other evidence of where he went.
Family Seeks Help
Nicole La Guerre told local stations she returns to the hospital grounds repeatedly, asking herself, “Where are you?” Frustrated by the lack of answers, she launched a GoFundMe to pay private investigators.
Private investigator Patrick Aubuchon told media the harsh October weather heightens fears:
> “He only had hospital pants and a shirt on, so he wasn’t well insulated. You would have to look at hypothermia right away.”
The fundraiser page states:
> “Our family has been living in heartbreak and uncertainty, not knowing if he’s safe, if he’s hurt, or where he might be.”
Public Appeal
Police released an updated missing-person flyer in November describing Mercury as approximately 6 ft, 195 lbs, possibly “disoriented” and in need of medical attention. They continue to ask residents to check properties, outbuildings and trail cameras.
| Last Seen Wearing | Direction | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital scrub pants & top | Toward bike path | No shoes, may be disoriented |
Key Takeaways
- Leonard Mercury disappeared from Heywood Hospital on Oct. 31 while under a Section 12 hold
- Despite extensive ground and water searches, no physical evidence has surfaced
- His wife, Nicole La Guerre, is funding private investigators through GoFundMe donations
- Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Gardner Police immediately
As winter deepens, the family clings to hope that fresh tips or the expanded private search will finally reveal what happened the night Mercury left the hospital and never returned.
