CASTLE ROCK, Colorado – It’s been almost a week since Robert Gautsche, 58, escaped from a rehabilitation unit in Castle Rock and his brother says he’s a “nervous wreck.”
Brad Gautsche said his brother has Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) and needs his medication. WKS is a neurological disorder that causes confusion, amnesia and short-term memory impairment.
On February 4, Robert escaped from Silver Heights qualified medical care and rehabilitation just before 8 p.m.
Brad looked up at his older brother who had grown up. The father of the two had a successful career and a loving family.
“An incredibly loving wife, two children and addiction have taken over completely,” Brad said.
Robert started abusing pills and alcohol. Brad remembers convincing his brother to call 911 on a drunken night.
“He was hospitalized at the local hospital and blew a .48, which is fatal,” Brad said.
In 2020, Brad became the power of attorney for his brother. He managed his finances, while Robert regained his life.
Robert got a new job and did well until he relapsed. He was admitted to Sky Ridge Medical Center where he was diagnosed with WKS due to alcohol abuse, according to his brother.
“It’s like Alzheimer’s on steroids,” Brad said.
Robert was 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 locked rehabilitation unit in Lone Tree, then to Silver Heights qualified assistance 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 knew it wasn’t a 100% lock installation,” Brad said.
The video obtained by a search and rescue team shows Robert crossing an intersection. He was last caught on camera at King Soopers on Promenade Parkway in Castle Rock.
Denver7 contacted qualified Silver Heights assistance and rehabilitation. A spokesman issued the statement below:
“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 we had a homeless resident who recently left the facility on their own recognition. And out of concern for the resident’s well-being, the facility continues to work daily with local law enforcement, the doctor and family to locate the resident. We maintain that the security standards of the installation are solid. “
Brad fears the worst, because time ticks and searches lead to dead ends. That’s 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 Douglas County Sheriff’s Office detective at (303) 784-7810.