I have seen this on social media, posted by PAPD.

If they don't know where he is and his family don't know where he is, how can they say they don't suspect foul play? If they don't know, how can they rule that out?

I hope someone sees all this and if he just went off without telling anyone and he is having a good time on vacation somewhere he will realize he should have told someone his plans. Hope he is found safe soon.

[Post removed.]

[Post removed.]

Resident:

Actually, I think it's totally appropriate for the police not to suspect foul play or anything else. Once there is some sort of evidence one way or another, that's when you start to form a suspicion. However, the article actually says, "No foul play is involved", which I find almost silly. There isn't any indication (in the story) that evidence exists to support this. Seems like a staff story that was thrown together rather sloppily and edited even more so.

This article, including the "foul play" statement, is almost a word-for-word copy of the police press release. If the police explained why no foul play is involved and also where he had been living, that might help residents look for him in the appropriate places.

Police press release: Web Link

Thank you for your comments. I am Andrew's father. Andrew is well known in the Palo Alto community. He has a schizophrenia which is a real disease like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis and like all diseases it requires continual treatment. Andrew stopped taking his medications about 3 weeks ago for unknown reasons. He is very quiet, respectful and friendly. We would just like to find him and make sure that he is safe. He is definitely not on vacation having a good time. any help would be greatly appreciated
Thank you.
Sam and Leslie Pearl
[phone number removed]

*Sam Pearl

I am sorry you have not only lost your son but that you have to read these stupid questions and comments from people who need to argue every point in the article. I would like to ask all these people to stop and think of the families involved before they start commenting.

My deepest worries and sympathy are with you and the Pearl family and I hope he is found safe and sound soon.

Sam and Leslie -

My heart goes out to you. It does seem less likely that "foul play" is involved, and for that we're all grateful. Do you think it's more likely than not that Andrew is somewhere in your neighborhood, or any other particular neighborhood? That might help make folks just that much more aware as they go about walks, errands, etc.

I think you have a lot of people whose fingers are crossed for Andrew's safe return.

Best regards,
Tom Goodrich

The "related past stories" box at the bottom left hand side of the page, is entirely offensive.
How the hell are these related?

Police: Man gropes 15-year-old girl walking in Palo Alto
May. 9, 2016

Suspects sought in high-end purse heist in Palo Alto
Jun. 6, 2016

Palo Alto man arrested for alleged rape
Jul. 5, 2016

Mr. and Mrs. Pearl,

I'm so sorry this has happened...it must be very frightening. I shared your son's photo on social networking and will do so again if needed. I'm hoping/praying he comes home to you safely, and soon.

Dear Sam, i've seen your boy around but not lately. Kept to himself but always smiled back. I lost my son to schizophrenia. People have no idea. Hope for the best.

My best friend lost her eldest son to this disease, after decades of cycles in which he would stop taking his meds, because he felt he no longer needed them. Then, in the next cycle, he would find himself in bad situations, not remembering what he did. Sometimes he got into legal trouble. These would end with a new cycle of realizing he needed the meds after all.

[Portion removed.]

I have had the pleasure of knowing the Pearl family since I was young. As Sam said Andrew is a kind, gentile, and quiet person. He often walks around downtown Palo Alto though I have not seen him in the last week or so. Please keep an eye out for him.

Thank you for the added information with mention of his health issues. It makes a lot more sense now.

How sad, and I hope he is found safe soon.

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Pearl,

It's sad that you had to jump in and disclose Andrew's medical condition to people who just din't know when to write their opinion and when to be sarcastic. Now that people know about Andrew's health condition he is in a lot of people's mind and prayers. Let's all hope for his safe returns.

Please stay strong and have hope. You have lots of supporters please feel free to ask for help.

Hoping for the best,
Jo

Mr. Pearl-- we'll keep your son in our thoughts and prayers. As a dad, my heart goes out to you.

Please know neighbors, friends, and Palo Alto community will look for him.
Palo Alto mom and wife

I went to high school with Andrew. I have this image of him in my memory. He always wore a baggy sweater and rode around on a skateboard. He was such a laid back kid and easy to hang out with. Hope he turns up soon.

Mr and Mrs. Pearl, I'm so sorry for your anguish and pray and hope this is resolved happily soon. Will share on FB.

Please support those with mental illness and THEIR friends/family.

If you have not been associated with mental illness, then please confine your arrogant, thoughtless, uninformed thoughts to yourselves.

There is more mental illness around than you think.

My heart goes out to the Pearls, hoping your son will return soon. Even in our well-educated community, there is still much misunderstanding and stigma surrounding mental illness. Unfortunately, sensationalist articles/stories which attract the most media attention often involve mental illness of some kind.

Those who suffer from these illnesses deserve as much compassion as those with physical illnesses. As a society, we must do a much better job of allocating resources and providing adequate services, in both hospital and clinical settings, so the mentally ill don't end up homeless, in jail or worse.

For those looking for help for an ill family member, or for yourself as a caregiver, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has lots of support groups and programs in the local area. Simply go to www.namisantaclara.org to get connected.

My son Byron and Andrew were childhood friends. I'm so very sorry to hear about Andrew disappearance and disease. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time in hopes this will be resolve soon.

I pray you find Andrew safe, my heart goes out to you and Leslie.

Dear Pearl Family,

Was hoping to find some good news here. I'm still praying for and thinking about you all.