CASTLE ROCK, Cologne. Almost a week ago Robert Gautsche, 58, escaped from a rehab center in Castle Rock and his brother said it was a “nervous wreck”.
Brad Gautsche said his brother suffers from Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) and needs his medication. WKS is a neurological disorder that causes confusion, amnesia, and short-term memory impairment.
On Feb. 4, Robert escaped from Silver Heights Specialty Nursing and Rehabilitation shortly before 8 p.m.
Brad looked at his growing older brother. The father of two had a successful career and a loving family.
“An amazing loving wife, two children and addiction took over completely,” Brad said.
Robert began abusing pills and alcohol. Brad recalls that he convinced his brother to call 911 on a drunken night.
“He was admitted to the local hospital and exploded a 0.48, which is fatal,” Brad said.
In 2020, Brad became his brother’s powerhouse. He managed his finances while his Robert recovered his life.
Robert got a new job and it went well until he relapsed. According to his brother, he was admitted to Sky Ridge Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with WKS due to alcohol abuse.
“It’s like Alzheimer’s on steroids,” Brad said.
Robert remained in the hospital from February to August in the ICU with someone watching him closely. Brad said his brother tried to escape three times.
When he was released, he was transferred to a closed rehab center in Lone Tree, and then to the Silver Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Castle Rock. Robert was at the facility for three days when he escaped.
“I would never have been moved here if I had known it wasn’t a 100% closure,” Brad said.
The video obtained by a search and rescue team shows Robert crossing an intersection. He was last captured on camera at King Soopers, next to Promenade Parkway in Castle Rock.
Denver7 contacted Silver Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation Specialists. A spokesman issued the following statement:
“Castlerock prides itself on excellent care and one of the points we focus on is the privacy rights of residents. As such, we can generally comment that an unguarded resident recently left the facility. And out of concern for the well-being of the resident, the facility continues to work daily with local law enforcement, the physician and the family to locate the resident.We maintain that the facility’s safety standards they are solid “.
Brad fears the worst, as time passes and searches lead to dead ends. That’s why he asks 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 Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Detective at (303) 784-7810.