UPDATE: Authorities say that Donald Hoeft has been located safe.
SAWYER COUNTY (DrydenWire) — Authorities have issued a Silver Alert for 72-year-old Donald James Hoeft, who was last seen late Monday night in Hayward, Wisconsin.
According to officials, Hoeft was at Tamarack Health Hayward Medical Center on the night of July 28, 2025, where he had driven his wife. Around 11:00 p.m., Hoeft left the hospital in a silver 2018 Jeep Compass with Wisconsin license plate number APK-5619. He was accompanied by a small white dog. His wife believed he was heading to a gas station and expected him to return shortly.
Surveillance footage later captured his vehicle in the Hayward area before it was last seen traveling northbound on Highway 63 in Cable, WI.
Hoeft is described as a white male, 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 184 pounds, with blue eyes and gray or partially gray medium-length hair. He was last seen wearing a tan t-shirt, blue overalls, black shoes, wire-frame glasses, and a gold wristwatch. He may have dementia or some other cognitive impairment.
Anyone with information on Donald Hoeft’s whereabouts is urged to contact local law enforcement immediately.
The Silver Alert remains active as the search continues.
Last Update: Jul 29, 2025 3:46 pm CDT
