First Nation man living with dementia still missing in Edmonton

Candace Alexis is pleading to the public for their help in finding her uncle who went missing in Edmonton almost two weeks ago. “I know he needs medication for his illnesses and sicknesses but I believe and trust in God that God is keeping him right now and can keep him alive and safe and protected,” said Alexis. Brian Wesley Potts, 66, lives with dementia and is diabetic. He went missing from the Royal Alexander Hospital in Edmonton on April 10 at around 10 a.m. while he was visiting his son who was in hospital. “He was left in the ICU with his son who was in no condition to watch him and keep an eye on him. My brother was in and out of consciousness because of his illness. My uncle Brian can’t sit still for too long for not even 5 minutes, he would just want to get up and leave and I guess that’s just what he did, he wandered off,” said Alexis. Potts was last seen wearing a brown camo hat, a dark blue Oilers hoodie, light brown pants and brown shoes. Potts is 5’8”, 177 lbs., with a medium build, dark eyes and dark hair. Five days later on April 15, Edmonton Police say Potts was seen getting off a bus to Westmount and walked towards the Westmount Shopping Centre. “Even for him to be seen five days later, that’s a miracle in itself because there’s a five-day window there he wasn’t seen. The Lord is keeping him safe,” said Alexis. CCTV footage of Potts on the day he went missing. Photo: Edmonton Police. Edmonton Police recently spoke with Alexis telling her somebody also saw Potts at the Walmart on Edmonton’s Stony Plain Road two days ago. “I think he might just be making his way home (to Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation) maybe slowly and he’s ahead of us somewhere. People are calling the police and letting them know they saw him but I don’t think we can get there fast enough,” added Alexis. Alexis says her uncle is also known to hitchhike and is unsure how he is able to survive in Edmonton and thinks he may be sleeping in a nearby park or wooded area. “My uncle is very friendly, he can make friends and he’s a jokester,” smiled Alexis. She says not knowing where her uncle is has been very difficult on the family and she has been praying he is found safe and sound. “We’re all worried, we just don’t know where to start, where to look, what to do. For myself I have a lot of faith in God. God sees him, God knows exactly where he is and I’ve been praying for my family to stay strong and to watch over my uncle,” said Alexis. Alexis says her uncle and her mom were staying in Edmonton’s Chateau Louis Hotel and going back and forth between the hotel and Royal Alexander Hospital before Potts disappeared. “He’s probably looking for my mom right now. My mom is at the hospital and she’s torn between the two. She wants to go look for my uncle but the police told her its just better if she waits because her son is also in the hospital with his illness. It’s really tough,” said Alexis while holding back tears. If anyone sees or knows where Brian Wesley Potts is, you are asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 1-780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Continue Reading