CASTLE ROCK, Colo.— It’s almost a week ago that Robert Gautsche (58) escaped from a rehabilitation facility in Castle Rock and his brother says he is a ‘nervous wreck’.
Brad Gautsche said his brother suffers from Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) and needs his medication. WCS is a neurological disorder that causes confusion, memory loss and impaired short-term memory.
On February 4, Robert escapes from Silver Heights School of Nursing and Rehabilitation just before 8 p.m.
Brad looks up at his older brother growing up. The father of two had a successful career and a loving family.
“An incredibly loving wife, two children, and the addiction has completely taken over,” Brad said.
Robert started abusing pills and alcohol. Brad remembers convincing his brother to call 911 on a drunken night.
“He was admitted to the local hospital and he blew a .48, which is fatal,” Brad said.
In 2020, Brad becomes the proxy for his brother. He managed his finances while getting Robert his life back on track.
Robert got a new job and he is doing well until he falls back. According to his brother, he was admitted to Sky Ridge Medical Center where WKS was diagnosed with alcohol abuse.
“It’s like Alzheimer’s on steroids,” Brad said.
Robert stayed in the ICU hospital from February to August with someone watching him closely. Brad said his brother tried to escape three times.
When he was released, he was transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation center in Lone Tree, and then to Silver Heights School of Nursing and Rehabilitation in Castle Rock. Robert was at the facility for three days when he escaped.
“He would never have been transferred here if I had known it was not a 100% lockdown facility,” Brad said.
Video obtained by a search and rescue team shows Robert crossing an intersection. He was last caught on camera by King Soopers at Promenade Parkway in Castle Rock.
Denver7 reaches out to Silver Heights School of Nursing and Rehabilitation. A spokesman announced the following statement:
“Castlerock prides itself on excellent care, and one of the points we focus on is residents’ privacy rights. As such, we can generally comment on the fact that we recently had a non-supervising resident leaving the facility on their own recognition. “Concerned about the well – being of the resident, the facility works daily with local law enforcement, the physician and the family to locate the resident. We maintain that the facility’s safety standards are sound.”
Brad fears the worst as time ticks and searches lead to dead ends. This is why he begs people to help him find his brother and best friend before it’s too late.
Robert was last seen wearing a brown leather jacket and jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff of Douglas County Detective at (303) 784-7810.