Arizona Search for Missing Newport Doctor Is Called Off

There is still no sign of a doctor from Newport Beach who went missing from a mental hospital in Arizona last week, and the official search for him is over, a sheriff's spokesperson said today. 

Ken Litwack, 71, was last seen around 1 p.m. last Tuesday, according to the Pinal County Sheriff's Department. He had admitted himself to the Sierra Tucson Rehabilitation Center on Aug. 12, but it seems he was unhappy at the facility, according to Elias Johnson of the Sheriff's Department.

Family members told authorities that Litwack suffers from confusion and likely wandered off. Johnson said that the press release classifying Litwack as a missing person was sent out earlier than normal due to his family's request but that the official search is over.

"All search efforts have been called off in the desert. It is still a missing-persons case and not considered foul play," Johnson explained.

On Thursday, an aerial search of the desert area southeast of the community of Saddlebrooke, near the treatment facility, was conducted. Lt. Scott Elliot flew several hundred square miles but did not find any sign of Litwack, Johnson said.

On the same day, members of the PCSD's search-and-rescue team fanned out to look for footprints and evidence of human activity and used three K-9 units in hopes of finding a scent trail, but they came up empty-handed. 

"The following day, trackers again searched the area, with no luck.  This leads us to believe Mr. Litwack is not in the desert, or any remote areas surrounding the hospital," Johnson said. 

Although the active search for Litwack is over, the department is continuing to follow leads generated though possible sightings and media attention.

"No such leads have panned out, but we feel this is our best chance in finding Mr. Litwack. The most difficult person to find is one who is not actively trying to be found," Johnson said. "We feel this is the case with Dr. Kenneth Litwack."  

Litwack is described as white, 5 feet 11 and weighing 150 pounds, with gray hair and glasses. He was last seen in a white polo shirt and blue athletic pants. Sheriff's officials asked anyone with information to call 520-866-5111.

Tiffany Carter contributed to this report.