Autistic adult missing after leaving group home in Brookston, Minn.

BROOKSTON, Minn. (KMSP) - According to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, 34-year-old Joseph L. Zak has been missing since Dec. 7 after leaving a group home in Brookston, Minn.

"Joseph is an autistic vulnerable adult who has lived at the home for several years," police stated in a press release Sunday.

Brookston is located about 30 miles west of Duluth. Zak has been described as 6 feet tall and 325 pounds with dark hair and dark eyes, and had just shaved his beard before departing the group home.

The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and Volunteer Rescue Squad will be conducting a ground search that is currently being coordinated.

Joseph's family created a public group on Facebook called "Missing Person: Joseph Zak" with the latest details. A volunteer search will be taking place with Joseph's family on Jan. 19 in the Brookston area -- the search is being conducted with the approval of the Sheriff's Office.

Anyone having information on Joseph's whereabouts is urged to call the Sheriff's Office Investigation Division at 218-336-4350.