Missing Covington man found dead in Lebanon

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LEBANON, Ohio (WXIX) - A 76-year-old Covington man who went missing in late December has been found dead in Warren County, according to Covington police.

The body of Edward Wischer was discovered Tuesday at 6:20 p.m. in a field near a cell phone tower in Lebanon.

The investigation has been turned over to detectives with the Lebanon Police Department.

Family members told police Wischer suffered from Sundowner’s Syndrome and dementia.

He had last been seen at a Walmart in Fort Wright, Kentucky around 2 p.m. on Dec. 19. Covington police issued a Golden Alert for him three days later.

Family members told FOX19 on Jan. 13 they suspected foul play.

“He was at Walmart on the 19th. He was there multiple times. They’re stating that the outfit he had on in the cameras at Walmart was actually at his house so he had time to come home and change his clothes, and somebody to tap on the door and say, ‘Hey, can you run me somewhere?” Wisher’s daughter Roshaunna said.

A news release from Covington police says Det. Jim Lindeman called in Texas Equusearch to conduct a search around a cell tower in Lebanon for Wischer. Police have not said whether Lindeman was acting on a lead.

Wischer’s car, a 2001 Jeep Cherokee, was found stuck in a nearby field. Search crews checked the surrounding area and found a body almost immediately, according to a police spokesperson

Lt. Justin Bradbury says Lebanon police were notified and the body has been positively identified as that of Edward Wischer.

Wischer’s family is asking for privacy as they mourn the loss of their loved one, according to the lieutenant.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time,” Lt. Bradbury continued. “We would like to thank Dave Raider and his team with Texas Equusearch for all their hard work and diligence in helping find Mr. Wischer and bringing closure to his family. We could not have done this without them. And thank you to Detective Lindeman for all of his work on this case.”

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