Missing Braintree man found dead after search, police say

BRAINTREE, Mass. Updated, 5:55 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. This story was rewritten after Braintree police said William O'Neill had been found dead. An earlier version, published at 5:35 p.m. Saturday, described the search for him as active.

William O'Neill, the Braintree man reported missing early Friday, was found dead Saturday, Braintree police said. Members of the search team found him at about 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, according to the police statement, which WHDH and the Fall River Reporter reported Saturday evening.

O'Neill was reported missing at about 5:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, and police believed he was in danger, the Fall River Reporter reported. Police said Friday that he "wandered from his residence" in the area of Davis Road and Calvin Street, according to Patch.

Boston 25 News reported that O'Neill was 76 and that police sent a cellphone alert, limited to the Braintree area, during the search.

The search drew the Braintree Fire Department, the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council, the Massachusetts State Police and the Norfolk County Technical Rescue Team, the Fall River Reporter reported.

"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Mr. O'Neill's family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," Braintree police said in the statement, according to WHDH.

Mayor Erin V. Joyce said, "While the search did not have the outcome we hoped for, we are grateful for the tremendous support from our first responders," and thanked Braintree's police and fire departments and the local, state and county agencies that helped, WHDH reported. "Our deepest condolences go out to the O'Neill family, and they remain in our thoughts as they navigate the days ahead," Joyce said.

Officials thanked the agencies that took part and the residents who shared information, and they asked the public to respect the family's privacy, the Fall River Reporter reported.

Label: Reported by us.