Franco Demelas, the 69-year-old from Samugheo who left his home by car on Sunday morning, returned home alone. As the hours passed, fears for the worst arose for the pensioner, who returned home a short while ago, albeit very tired and in a state of profound confusion.
His wife and family were waiting for him at home, as well as the family doctor and the police.
His wife, brother, and other relatives raised the alarm on Sunday afternoon when they didn't see him return. They immediately notified the Carabinieri station, who attempted to reconstruct the last movements of the elderly man, who had worked away from home for many years. According to an initial reconstruction, it appears there had been an argument at the house on Via San Basilio on Sunday morning. After some tension, Franco Demelas apparently left the house without even taking his cell phone, got into his gray Hyundai Kona, and drove away from the village.
The search began late Sunday evening. Firefighters and Carabinieri officers, along with countless acquaintances and volunteers, are combing the surrounding countryside to find at least some trace of Demelas's car. The search, coordinated by the Oristano Prefecture, continued with fire department dog units, a helicopter, and even drones.