Leonard Mercury
Leonard Mercury, 57, disappeared in the early morning hours of October 31, 2025, after escaping from Heywood Hospital in Gardner, Massachusetts. He had been admitted under a Section 12 mental‑health hold and was in clear distress when he vanished.
Around 2 a.m., Leonard reportedly broke a second‑story hospital window, made his way onto the roof, and jumped to the ground. He was last seen running toward a nearby bike path, wearing only hospital clothing and no shoes.
Police said they were deeply concerned for his wellbeing. They noted that he may have been disoriented, in medical danger, and in urgent need of care at the time he fled.
Leonard is 6 feet tall and approximately 195 pounds. He is often pictured with a beard and sometimes wearing a black hat. Authorities also warned that he may be using the names Leonard Cummins or John Cummins.
His wife, Nicole La Guerre, has spent months searching for answers. She returns to the hospital grounds often, retracing the area where he was last seen and asking the same question: Where are you?
Nicole told reporters that police informed her he had broken the window and somehow reached the roof before running into the woods. She has described the shock of learning he disappeared from a place where he was supposed to be safe.
Search teams from the Gardner Police Department, volunteers, and private investigators have combed the woods, nearby trails, and parts of a local lake. Despite extensive efforts, no confirmed clues have surfaced.
A private investigator assisting the family noted that Leonard had only thin hospital clothing and no insulation, raising immediate concerns about hypothermia and exposure.
Nicole launched a GoFundMe to help fund continued searches and hire additional investigators. She has followed every tip, including unconfirmed sightings in the Grafton Street area of Worcester.
Months later, she says she is still angry, heartbroken, and determined. She continues to push for answers, refusing to let the trail go cold.
As of March 2026, Leonard Mercury remains missing.
If you have any information about the disappearance of Leonard Mercury, please do not approach him. Contact the Gardner Police Department at 978‑632‑5600 or call 911.
