Police search for missing Storrs man
Ryan Cornell
Willimantic police are seeking information on the whereabouts of a Storrs man who went missing Tuesday afternoon.
Police said a person with Ryan Cornell, 32, first noticed he was missing at approximately 3:45 p.m., and he was last seen at Cafémantic, located at 948 Main St., Willimantic.
Police said Cornell, who has a traumatic brain injury, was with an employee of the Recovery Care Assisted Living Program at the time.
Cornell’s mother, Elaine Burns, said Cornell was injured after he fell from a fifth- story window of a building at the University of Connecticut in 1997.
Cornell, a white male, was last seen wearing a dark blue windbreaker-style pants, light gray shirt and dark gray hooded jacket, police said.
They added his speech is slowed due to his brain injury and he walks with a slight limp.
Burns said Cornell was exercising at the gym just prior to disappearing and went to Cafémantic with his caretaker.
Cornell has found his way to gas stations, convenience stores and restaurants in past incidents, according to police, but Burns said he has not gone missing for this period of time before.
Burns said family and friends spent Tuesday night searching for Cornell and she hopes someone in the area will recognize him and contact his family or police.
“A lot of people, I think, would recognize him,” she said.
Burns also said Cornell does not like exposure to the elements and is hopeful an area resident gave him shelter for the night, but is unaware of his condition.
“He’s not someone who likes to be out in the cold,” Burns said.
Cornell might identify himself using a different name while stating he is traveling and without money in an attempt to “panhandle money,” according to a Willimantic Police Department release.
Burns added Cornell does have a state identification card stating his name and a Storrs address, though.
Willimantic police asked anyone with information on Cornell’s whereabouts to contact Lt. Raymond Evans at (860) 465-3135.
Burns said people can also contact her with information at (860) 655-4688.
Posted 1-19-2011
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