Maricopa Man Found in National Forest Succumbs to Injuries

Maricopa Man, 77, Found After Multi-Agency Rescue Effort

Richard Maurice Bird, a 77-year-old resident of Maricopa, has died following a search operation that spanned two counties. Bird had been reported missing the previous Thursday afternoon.

Authorities discovered Bird wandering on a road in Seven Springs, a remote area located approximately 10 miles northeast of Cave Creek. A helicopter from the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office airlifted him to a ranger station for immediate medical attention.

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to confirm an official cause of death. Initially noted as a victim of a rollover crash, further assessments indicate that Bird’s injuries resulted from prolonged exposure to harsh conditions in Tonto National Forest. The duration of his time in the wilderness remains unclear.

Following his retrieval, Bird was transported by ground ambulance to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. “Unfortunately, Richard did pass away shortly after he was taken to the hospital,” MPD spokesperson Monica Williams stated.

Bird was last traced to Casa Grande before his phone went offline. His vehicle, a Nissan Altima, was later identified in Gilbert, although he had no known connections in that area. Due to his medical conditions, which included a dementia diagnosis, Bird was classified as an at-risk missing adult.