Local emergency services launched an urgent search after a 36-year-old man was reported missing after leaving HSHS St Mary’s Hospital in Green Bay on the evening of 9 August, police said. The Brown County Sheriff’s Office described the case as one with serious concern for the man’s mental health because he left without medication, a phone or a vehicle.
What we know
Authorities identified the missing man as Michael Floyd Payne, 36. He was last seen departing the hospital at about 8.50pm on 9 August and had not been heard from by family or friends in the hours that followed, the sheriff’s office said. Initial public appeals said he was believed to be travelling on foot and that he may have been wearing hospital scrubs.
- Name: Michael Floyd Payne
- Age: 36
- Last seen: HSHS St Mary’s Hospital Medical Center, Green Bay — about 8.50pm on 9 August
- Concerns: Mental health, no medications, no phone, no vehicle
Community response and update
The initial appeal urged anyone with information to contact the Brown County Public Safety Communications Centre. A contact number provided by the reporting outlet was 920-391-7450. Later updates from local media said Michael had been located safe; authorities did not release further details.
“UPDATE: Michael has been located safe,” the follow-up report said.
While the later development will be a relief to family and neighbours, the case underscores broader concerns around patients leaving hospitals without arrangements for continued medication or follow-up care, and the strain such incidents place on emergency services and searching volunteers.
How such incidents affect communities
When someone leaves a medical facility unexpectedly, search and rescue activity can be extensive. Police, hospital staff and sometimes volunteer search groups co-ordinate searches, enquiries at transport hubs and checks with local shelters and charities. Local residents are often asked to check CCTV, dashcam footage or personal property such as allotments and lanes, particularly where someone is believed to be travelling on foot.
Hospitals and emergency services stress the importance of early reporting and providing as much information as possible: clothing description, last known direction of travel, any known health or mobility issues, and whether the person may be carrying medication. In this instance, authorities identified the absence of medication and a phone as factors increasing the level of concern.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Person missing | Michael Floyd Payne, 36 |
| Last seen | HSHS St Mary's Hospital Medical Center, Green Bay — c. 8.50pm, 9 August |
| Concerns | No medications, no mobile phone, believed to be on foot; mental health concerns |
| Contact | Brown County Public Safety Communications Centre — 920-391-7450 |
For residents in St Mary’s and nearby communities, the shared hospital name is a reminder of how quickly a missing-person case can mobilise resources and how important quick community reporting is. While this incident concluded with a positive update, the episode highlights pressures on hospital discharge procedures and the need to ensure those with mental-health needs do not leave without support.
Local charities and mental-health groups often advise family members and carers to liaise closely with hospital staff if someone is distressed or at risk of leaving suddenly, and to make sure follow-up appointments and medication arrangements are in place before discharge. Community organisations can help by sharing public-safety appeals in the crucial early hours of a search, when sightings and timely information make the greatest difference.
Anyone who witnessed the movements of Michael Payne on the evening of 9 August, or who has information that could assist police, was asked to call the Brown County Public Safety Communications Centre on 920-391-7450. Local media subsequently reported he has been found safe.
