SALT LAKE CITY — A 91-year-old man from Wyoming, who suffers from dementia, was located after he wandered away from home and hitchhiked to Salt Lake City. Remarkably, his wife recognized him while watching a TV news segment focused on aiding those in need.

Michael Black ended up at the Rescue Mission of Salt Lake, which is situated over 200 miles away from his residence in Afton, located in the picturesque Star Valley of western Wyoming.

After arriving at the shelter, Michael was featured in a KSL News broadcast that highlighted efforts to provide meals to those in need during the Thanksgiving season. The news channel’s coverage reaches parts of Wyoming, and Avril Black, his 77-year-old wife, happened to be watching when she caught a glimpse of him.

“I thought, ‘Wait a minute, I’m sure I saw Michael.’ So I paused the TV, rewound it, and yes, there he was,” recalled Avril Black during an interview with KSL News.

Michael had been unaccounted for for three days, as reported by the news outlet. After Avril Black reported her husband missing on November 25, police entered his details into a search database. Tips from the public helped law enforcement track his route, which took him through southern Idaho before entering northern Utah, where his trail eventually became unclear.

However, one additional ride led him from a bus station to the rescue mission, which was where he started conversing with Jay Rouse, the chapel lead at the shelter. “I realized this sweet, old man was in need of some help,” Rouse said, reflecting on their encounter.

On November 27, Avril Black saw her husband, with his white hair and black coat, having dinner with many others on the 10 p.m. news segment.

“It was so unreal. I was so relieved. I actually slept that night,” she mentioned to the station, overwhelmed with emotion after finding her husband.

Authorities confirmed the identity of Michael Black, and Avril quickly drove to the shelter to bring him home. “I’m speechless. It just blows me away that it happened. Boy, does he have some guardian angel looking after him,” she expressed, filled with gratitude.