Police: All three patients that fled from SWVA mental health facility located safely

Authorities have located all three patients who fled from the Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute on Monday night.

According to Marion, VA Police Chief John Clair, the three mental health patients were found around 8 a.m Tuesday morning after they were spotted by someone, which followed by response from multiple jurisdictions who located them and transported them back to the facility. Chief Clair said the three patients had planned to leave the facility for about three days.

The search lasted approximately 13 hours.

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Authorities are actively searching for three patients who fled from the Southwest Virginia Mental Health Institute late Monday night.

Marion Police responded to the area following the report that three patients had left the facility, and a perimeter was established locally to search for the missing patients, which was unsuccessful according to the latest update. The investigation found that the patients in question, Jay Scott Reed, 28, Derek Allen Malcolm, 26, and David Allen Willis, 32, planned the escape, and authorities believe they were transported away from the area by vehicle.

Anyone with information on the three suspects should contact Smyth County Dispatch at (276) 783-7204.