Vian resident Christopher “Chris” Blackmer has been found safe and returned home after being reported missing by family members 43 days ago, according to Vian Police Chief Mark Harkins.

Harkins said over the weekend, the department received word from the family that Blackmer had been located and they were on their way to make contact with him.

“After we saw him in person and he was medically cleared, we were able to remove him from the missing persons data bases,” Harkins reported. “We were so happy to welcome Chris home and want him to know how much the community rallied to help him.”

Harkins did not disclose where Blackmer was found, he simply stated that “this is Chris’s story to tell to those he wishes.”

Family members and friends reported Blackmer, 54, was missing after having no contact with him for several weeks.

Harkins, Vian police and other investigators canvassed areas Blackmer was known to frequent, but were never able to locate him.