Massachusetts man who had been reported missing in October, found deceased

GARDNER – The body of an Acton man, reported missing in October 2025 after escaping Heywood Hospital in Gardner, was recovered yesterday from Crystal Lake, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early, Jr.

The body pulled from the lake was identified as Leonard Mercury, 57, of Acton. Mercury was last seen leaving Heywood Hospital shortly before 2:00 a.m. on October 31, 2025.

Search efforts were conducted at that time by the Gardner Police Department, but they were unable to locate him.

Several other searches were conducted in the following months by members of the Gardner Police Department, Westminster Police Department, the Massachusetts Environmental Police, the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team, the Massachusetts State Police Special Emergency Response Team, the Massachusetts State Police Marine Unit, and K-9 Unit.

On Wednesday, Gardner Police Department conducted an aerial search of Crystal Lake using drone technology in connection to the disappearance of Leonard Mercury. The drones revealed what appeared to be a human body floating in the water. The body was then recovered by the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has accepted the case and will determine the cause and manner of death.

According to family, Leonard left Heywood Hospital and was last seen heading towards the wooded area of the hospital only wearing his hospital pants and shirt. He was not wearing shoes, nor did he have his cell phone, wallet, or other personal items on him. He was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis at the time.

The incident remains under investigation by Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, State Police Crime Scene Services, Gardner Police Department, and Westminster Police Department.