GARDNER – The body of an Acton man, reported missing in October 2025 after escaping Heywood Hospital in Gardner, was recovered Wednesday from Crystal Lake, according to the office of Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.
The body pulled from the lake was identified as Leonard Mercury, 57, of Acton. He was last seen leaving Heywood Hospital shortly before 2 a.m. on Oct. 31, 2025. Search efforts were conducted at that time by the Gardner Police Department, but he could not be located.
Several other searches were conducted in the following months by members of the Gardner Police, Westminster Police, the Massachusetts Environmental Police, the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team, the Massachusetts State Police Special Emergency Response Team, the Massachusetts State Police Marine Unit, and K-9 Unit.
On Wednesday, March 25, Gardner Police conducted an aerial search of Crystal Lake using drone technology in connection to the disappearance of Mercury. The drones revealed what appeared to be a human body floating in the water. The body was then recovered by the Massachusetts State Police Dive Team. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has accepted the case and will determine the cause and manner of death.
The incident remains under investigation by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, State Police Crime Scene Services, Gardner Police and Westminster Police.