Growing team of online sleuths joins local search for missing Merrionette Park man

A south suburban woman is leading a search effort for her father who was reported missing more than a month ago.

Daniel Davis, 59, was last seen about 1:15 a.m. Nov. 25 leaving his workplace, the concert venue 115 Bourbon Street at 3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park, according to Chicago police.

He was wearing a black Harley Davidson jacket, a red sweatshirt, black jeans and a black baseball hat, police said.

Daniel Davis was involved in a car accident hours before he was last seen but declined medical attention. A responding officer then dropped him off at 115 Bourbon Street, according to Davis’ daughter, Wendy Davis.

“Prior to the accident, we’ve gathered a lot of evidence that my dad may have suffered some kind of cognitive medical episode at his apartment before he left … something to cause him [to be] disoriented and confused,” Wendy Davis said.

Daniel Davis was seen on surveillance camera about 3 p.m. Nov. 26 near the 13300 block of Old Western Avenue in Blue Island, and again on camera about 6:30 p.m. Nov. 26 at St. Donatus Church in the 1900 block of South Union Street in Blue Island, police said.

A Cook County sheriff’s office bloodhound led a search effort that followed Daniel Davis’ trail to where it stopped by train tracks near 127th Street and Hoyne Avenue in Blue Island, Wendy Davis said.

Daniel Davis, who lives in Merrionette Park, has worked as the head lighting designer for concerts at 115 Bourbon Street for 26 years.

The marquee outside the concert hall reads, “Please help us find Dan.”

Jon Haenke, general manager of 115 Bourbon Street, described Daniel Davis as a genuine guy who’s loved by all his co-workers.

“He never missed a day of work, never complained. He got the job done at 110%. He was part of the family, you know, he wasn’t just somebody that worked here,” Haenke said.

“He was definitely somebody that we relied on heavily when it comes to any of the lighting and production, the creativity side,” Haenke said. “The guy would get the job done 110%. Even if it was an impossible ask or an impossible job, Dan will find a way to get it done. ... He’s definitely a big piece of the puzzle that's missing.”

Daniel Davis’ ex-wife has led the search effort and created a Facebook group called Find Dan Davis, where updates on the case are posted and other people seek ways to help. Nearly 25,000 people have joined the group.

Wendy Davis recently started updating people on the search effort through TikTok videos, some of which have garnered millions of views.

She said the outpouring of support from the community has been “hard to even fathom.” She’s begun to also hear from people from out of state asking how they can help. A GoFundMe has raised nearly $15,000. She also is offering a $500 reward to anyone who can provide video of her dad after Nov. 26.

“My dad is super-charismatic and goofy and sarcastic and creative,” Wendy Davis said. “I share nothing but funny memories with him.”

Daniel Davis is described by police as a white man with brown eyes and short gray hair. He is 5 feet 8 and weighs 170 pounds.

Police said Daniel Davis may be in need of medical attention.

Anyone with information is asked to contact CPD detectives at (312) 747-8274 or call 911.