Elderly couple found after fleeing aged-care facility because they hate it: 'They just wanted to be home together'

Published: 07:25, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 07:27, 13 July 2026 An elderly couple missing from an aged-care facility have been found as it emerges the pair fled the complex because they did not like being in a 'home'.  Colin, 89, and Claudette Geraghty, 83, left the Ryman Nellie Melba Retirement Village in Wheelers Hill, south-east Melbourne, at about 11.15 am on Saturday. The pair visited The Glen Shopping Centre, on Springvale Road, bought their daily medication and were last seen leaving at about midday in their white 2015 Mazda 2. The alarm was raised when their neighbour Sharon Jeikishore checked on them later that afternoon and received no answer. Their daughter Linda McKelvie was also worried as her father has Alzheimer's and her mother is living with vascular dementia and suffers seizures.  Mr and Ms Geraghty remained missing for around 32 hours before they were found near Maryborough, 168km north-west of Melbourne, on Sunday night. Ms McKelvie said she believed the pair were unhappy living at a facility after they had moved into the aged-care home last Tuesday. The facility had alerted police earlier in the week after the Geraghtys attempted to leave for the first time. An elderly couple missing from an aged-care facility have been found as it emerges the pair fled the complex because they did not like being in a 'home' Mr and Ms Geraghty have been married for 65 years after first meeting on the dancefloor  Mr and Ms Geraghty remained missing for around 32 hours before they were found near Maryborough, 168km north-west of Melbourne, on Sunday night  'I think because they were recently in respite care it was such a change for them,' Ms McKelvie said.  'They didn't really like being in care and I think they just wanted to be home together. 'Dad thinks he can help her … they feel like all their choices are being taken away.' Mr and Ms Geraghty have been married for 65 years after first meeting on the dancefloor. Ms McKelvie said she had received a message from her father on the day he went missing with her mother. 'Don't worry, thank you for your help, I'll make sure I look after her,' it read.  Ms McKelvie had left a message for them, urging them to return home. 'Please come home mum and dad, we are all so worried about you,' she said.   'Even the grandkids. We are all so worried about you.'