By Michael Stoll and Deb Nicklay

An Austin man reported missing on Monday morning was found at his residence late Thursday afternoon.

According to Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger, 72-year-old Dennis Hanson was found at 4:58 p.m. hiding behind a couch in the basement of his residence in the 2100 block of Third Avenue Southeast.

Krueger said law enforcement returned to the residence Thursday afternoon due to a lack of leads. They spoke to the family and conducted another extensive search of the residence when he was found.

Hanson seemed disoriented when he walked out of the basement under his own power, Krueger said. Gold Cross Ambulance Service transported him to Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin.

Hanson was reported missing on Monday when he could not be found at his home on the 2100 block of Third Avenue Southeast early Monday morning. His description was circulated through the media outlets and on social media. Different areas in and around Austin were searched by law enforcement, emergency personnel and citizens every day since the report was filed, until Thursday afternoon. A bloodhound, drone, and State Patrol helicopter and plane were all used in the search for Hanson.

There is no information available on where he was while he was missing. He has since been transferred to another health care facility in northern Minnesota, according to his wife, Anne.

Anne Hanson expressed her thanks in an open letter to the community on Friday, saying “it was God’s leading all who involved themselves in this massive search and His protection that brought Dennis back to us alive …” Her full letter accompanies this article.

Krueger said the Austin Police Department is grateful Hanson was found safe and thanked all emergency responders and volunteers who helped search for him.

Those who helped organize searches — including one that was going to take place Saturday — extended thanks to media, community members, businesses, law enforcement and the fire department — who all participated or donated items in the searches for Hanson.

Melissa Mackens Nangle was one of the organizers. She and others who made up the core of those who helped get the word out and coordinate searches met at the Eagles Thursday.

Some knew the family, but others, not at all.

“When these kinds of things happen, family members are worried about the missing” and cannot easily concentrate on searches, Nangle said.

“We’re doers in Austin,” she said. “We help out. And we asked, Austin stood up.”

When a “Find Dennis Hanson” page was initiated on Facebook, “things just blew up,” said fellow organizer, Julie Skinness, adding there were 1,300 views almost immediately.

“We’re just teachers, carpenters, moms and dads,” Nangle said. “We just wanted to support the family” in any way they could.

“So tonight, we disassemble and celebrate,” said Skinness.

Anna Hanson’s open letter to Austin

It is with humble and grateful hearts that we, Dennis Hanson’s loving family, come back to our community to express the most sincere thanks that anyone could ever have.

It was God’s leading all who involved themselves in this massive search and His protection that brought Dennis back to us alive and willing to receive the intensive medical attention to relieve the burdens that prompted this desperate attempt for peace of mind.

It is our hope that everyone will have a renewed awareness of the magnitude a “little down in the dumps” can have on the human mind. Depression is very real and not a choice.

Dennis is but just one in our small space on Earth, who at this moment is dealing with thoughts and actions of this nature. Let us all remember how a community working together with such vigor can be a very real help to humanity. Treating our brothers and sisters with understanding and kindness is a huge part in their total care and recovery.

May God richly bless everyone who had made this blessed outcome a reality for the most grateful family on the face of the Earth!

Anne Hanson and family