Dwight Whitehead's body was found by his family just over an hour after they started looking in the West Hill area. (supplied)

By Susan McNeil

Missing persons - Dwight Whitehead

Dwight Whitehead was found deceased 200 yards from hospital

Jan 19, 2023 | 3:00 PM

It took searchers a little over an hour to find Dwight Whitehead deceased after they started an organized ground search two days ago, his mother says.

Gloria Sanderson is still trying to cope with the loss of her 32-year-old son and believes there was some divine intervention in finding his remains with relative quickness.

“I would say we got some help from above for that because there were three deer right there and we found him within three hours of our search,” she told paNOW.

About 20 family members started from the PAGC buildings in the West Hill area at 10:30 and one group discovered Whitehead at about 11:40 am.

“It was 200 yards from the hospital. It just makes me wonder what condition he was in. It was hard for me seeing him in his hospital gown,” she said.

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Whitehead walked out of the Victoria Hospital on January 2 against the advice of medical staff and was not seen alive after that.

He did have a sweater but was not dressed in winter clothing, she said.

He had been taken there hours earlier suffering from hypothermia and after being discovered laying on a snowbank.

Whitehead’s brother Craig told paNOW previously that Dwight had some struggles with mental health and was vulnerable.

Sanderson wishes someone would have called her family for more help but is thankful for the help they did receive from Prince Albert Police and other organizations in the time between when he was reported missing and the discovery of his remains.

She is now looking toward planning the funeral for her son and trying to manage the emotional toll and the costs.

A GoFundMe has been created for assistance with items needed for the funeral (likely early next week).

People can give money or help out with things like large coffee pots, cups, lunch meats, and the typical items needed for post-funeral meals.

People wanting to give items or food for lunch can bring them to the Pioneer Cabin building at the Exhibition Grounds in Prince Albert at 10:00 am on Saturday.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger of self-harm or experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact:

Canada Suicide Prevention Service (1-833-456-4566), Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service (306-933-6200), Prince Albert Mobile Crisis Unit (306-764-1011), Regina Mobile Crisis Services (306-525-5333) or the Hope for Wellness Help Line, which provides culturally competent crisis intervention counseling support for Indigenous peoples at (1-855-242-3310).

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com