Phones and other wireless devices across Los Angeles County chimed in unison on Monday night, alerting users with an unusual missing person message.
Titled a “Public Safety Alert,” the message read the following:
“Mannasseh Chibuzor Nwaigwe, Male African American 81 years old missing since this morning.”
Phone users reported receiving the alert around 8 p.m. but, when clicking on or holding down the message, were not navigated to any further information.
Ready Los Angeles County posted to X at 8:18 p.m., confirming that the message – a “Wireless Emergency Alert,” was sent countywide around 8 p.m. to report a missing person.
“Please refer any inquiries to the City of Glendale,” said the X post.
KTLA reached out to the Glendale Police Department, which closes its office at 5 p.m., but the watch commander on duty was able to confirm the missing person report.
In addition, the watch commander said Nwaigwe has dementia, and no foul play is suspected in his disappearance.
The department did not immediately provide an explanation as to why the alert was sent to users countywide.
