Tossed Beer Bottle Big Break in Missing Man Case

It turns out a discarded beer bottle and a league little team are the big heroes in a missing person case that gripped many in the Bay Area the past week and a half.

Ross Abinanti, who has dementia, was last seen in a parking garage in downtown Campbell June 30. He wandered off while his wife ran in to get them some ice cream. A disabled caretaker was in the car with him, and could not get to Abinati fast enough to stop him from going after his wife. By the time she got back to the car, which was within ten minutes, Abinanti was gone.

On Friday night, the Union Little League All Stars were celebrated a big win at Jake's pizza in Saratoga.

The children were waiting outside in the parking lot and one of them found a beer bottle and tossed it into some bushes.

One of the kids chased after it and noticed a man lying in the bushes. Other teammates ran over when they noticed the man raised his hand.

The boys then ran back and told their coach who told the restaurant staff who called sheriff's deputies and tah-da! Ross Abinanti was found.

Arriving deputies say they found a wallet in a pile of clothes nearby that identified the man as Abinanti.

He had somehow traveled 5 miles from where he initially walked away from his disabled caregiver.

By all accounts, it appears he had been staying in the area for some time.

Campbell police say they think he walked down Campbell Avenue and then down Prospect before walking down in to the creek bed. Experts say disoriented people often walk in the down direction so it is not a surprise he was found in a creek bed.

A worker at the pizza place said he noticed a man in the area on Monday, but thought he was homeless and had not seen the media reports about the missing man.

Abinanti was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital for a tearful and joyful reunion with his family.

It's unbelievable. It's really a miracle," his wife, Marciel Abinanti said Saturday outside the unofficial search headquarters outside the Starbucks in downtown Cambpell.

Her husband remains in intensive care being treated for dehydration, malnourishment and an infection after nearly two weeks apparently living outside.

Friday night's news was what many had hoped and prayed for, but feared would not happen.

Earlier this week, friends, former students and strangers of the Campbell man marched through downtown Campbell to keep the public's attention focused on the search.

The family also turned to Facebook and Twitter to help find him.

His family was concerned because Abinanti also did not have access to his medication since he disappeared.

A flood of volunteers turned out to help with the search. A team of Abinanti's former students and colleagues, racquetball club acquaintances, longtime friends and even complete strangers have helped post fliers, operate a daily search party that worked out of the Starbucks.
 

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