Take Scotts Valley off high alert — the missing man has been found!
Alex Fossgreen was spotted by Scotts Valley Police officers around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday walking by the Chase Bank on Mount Hermon Road. According to Sheriff's Lt. Steve Carney, the officers approached the man they believed to be Fossgreen and confirmed his identity.
Fossgreen told the officers he didn't even know he was a missing person and that he decided to go camping to clear his head, Carney said.
According to Fossgreen's family, he has been upset lately about a recent break up with his fiance. He had not been seen since 4:45 a.m. Friday.
He spent one night in the mountains near Empire Grade and the next night in Fall Creek State Park. One day he hiked all the way up Bear Creek to the summit area, Carney said.
"The tips we've been getting from citizens lined up with where he told us he had been," Carney said.
He appeared clear headed, did not seem to be plagued by mental issues or suicidal thoughts.
"He just didn't want to be bothered," Carney said.
It's not clear what he ate in the nearly four days he spent in the wilderness, but Carney said it is believed that Fossgreen took a small amount of money with him when he left home Friday, possibly to buy food.
