A Purple Alert was issued Tuesday, March 24, for a missing Leesburg man.
William Pickett, 67, was last seen in Leesburg Tuesday, March 24, according to the alert issued by the FDLE’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse.
He was last seen wearing camouflage shorts and may be traveling in a bronze Hyundai Santa Fe.
Here’s how you can help.
Anyone with information about Davis’ whereabouts should call FDLE at 1-888-FL MISSING (1-888-356-4774) or the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111.
Purple Alert issued for missing Leesburg man
A Florida Purple Alert has been issued for William Pickett, last seen in Leesburg.
A Florida Purple Alert was issued Tuesday, March 24, for William Pickett, last seen in the area of the 34000 block of Grant Avenue in Leesburg, according to the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse.
He was last seen wearing a unknown-colored shirt and camouflage shorts.
Pickett has a tattoo of a panther on one of his arms.
He may be traveling in a 2019, bronze Hyundai Santa Fe, FL tag number IWZL88.
Have information on missing man? Here’s who to contact
Anyone with information about Pickett can contact FDLE at 1-888-FL-MISSING (1-888-356-4774) or the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 352-343-2101 or 911.
A Florida Purple Alert is used to assist in the location of missing adults suffering from a mental or cognitive disability that is not Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia-related disorder; an intellectual disability or a developmental disability; a brain injury; other physical, mental or emotional disabilities that are not related to substance abuse; or a combination of any of these.
Their disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm.
Purple Alerts ask for the public’s help in the search for the missing person and provide a standardized and coordinated community response.
Purple Alerts active in Florida
Active Purple Alerts in Florida as of March 25, 2026.
For more details on each of the active Purple Alerts.
Sign up to receive Purple Alerts via email
Sign up to receive Florida Purple Alerts directly to your email. You can be notified as soon as an alert is issued to help with the safe recovery of a missing adult.
When did Florida’s Purple Alert Program begin?
Florida’s Purple Alert Plan was established by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on July 1, 2021.
-
The person is 18 years of age or older and does not qualify for a state level Silver Alert.
-
An investigation has determined the missing person:
-
Has any combination of the following: an intellectual or developmental disability, brain injury; or another physical, mental, or emotional disability that is not related to substance abuse and
-
Does not have Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia related disorder.
-
-
Has your law-enforcement agency’s investigation concluded the disappearance poses a credible threat of immediate danger or serious bodily harm to the missing person and they can only be returned to safety through law-enforcement intervention?
-
Is there a detailed description of the missing person suitable for distribution?
-
Has your agency entered the missing person into the Florida Crime Information Center?
-
Does the law-enforcement agency of jurisdiction recommend activation?
How does a Purple Alert get activated?
If you have a loved one missing you should contact your local law-enforcement agency immediately. The law-enforcement agency will take a report and determine if a Purple Alert is appropriate.
If the agency determines that the case meets the criteria for a Purple Alert, they will contact the FDLE Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse. Only law enforcement can request a Purple Alert.
How can you file a missing person report?
Contact the local law-enforcement agency of jurisdiction where the missing person was last seen.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://news-journalonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida Purple Alert issued for missing Leesburg man. How to help
