Kansas Issues Purple Alert for Missing Autistic Man

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation seeks the public's help locating 24-year-old Dakota Lane Langdell of Sharon Springs.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Autism

Kansas Issues Purple Alert for Missing Autistic Man

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has issued a statewide Purple Alert for 24-year-old Dakota Lane Langdell, a man with autism from Sharon Springs whose whereabouts are unknown. He was last seen at 228 North Kennedy in Sharon Springs and may be traveling south toward Stratford, Texas.

Why it matters

A Purple Alert is issued when a missing person has a cognitive impairment, such as autism, and is considered at risk, so statewide public attention can help locate him quickly. Residents across Kansas are asked to watch for him and report any sightings.

Dakota Lane Langdell is 24 years old, approximately 5 foot 6 inches tall and about 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt, blue jeans and possibly a hat, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.

The players

Kansas Bureau of Investigation

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is the state's primary criminal investigative agency, which issues statewide alerts such as Purple Alerts for missing persons with cognitive impairments.

Wallace County Sheriff's Office

The Wallace County Sheriff's Office is the local law enforcement agency serving Wallace County, Kansas, where Sharon Springs is located, and it is accepting tips about the missing man.

The details

Dakota Lane Langdell was last seen at 228 North Kennedy in Sharon Springs, Kansas. Anyone who sees him is asked to call 911 immediately or contact the Wallace County Sheriff's Office at 785-852-4286.

Purple Alert issued by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation on November 7, 2026.

Health Landscape

The Kansas Purple Alert program, which the Kansas Bureau of Investigation uses for missing persons with cognitive impairments, extends statewide notification to people such as this 24-year-old man with autism. The alert reflects a state-level framework for locating vulnerable adults who may not be able to safely navigate on their own.

Residents who see a man matching this description should call 911 immediately rather than approach him. Families and caregivers of adults with autism may find the Purple Alert system a practical resource to know about in case a loved one goes missing.

The takeaway

Anyone who notices a man matching Dakota Lane Langdell's description should report it right away, since prompt tips can speed up a search for a missing person with autism.