RCMP suspend search for missing man near Norman Wells
While RCMP in Norman Wells, N.W.T., say they have suspended their search for a missing 20-year-old man who hasn't been seen in more than a week, the co-ordinator of the volunteer search and rescue society in the area says she and her team aren't giving up.
Darren Whiteman was reported missing Sept. 12. His family last saw him at a cabin on Lennie Lake around 11 p.m. the night before.
He is described as Indigenous, five feet nine inches tall, 120 lbs, with a slender build, brown eyes and black hair.
"Our volunteers and everything are still out there," says Jaime Kearsey, president of the Sahtu Search and Rescue Society. "I've gotten a bunch of panicked phone calls...we're still searching and we're still fundraising."
Kearsey says her team will continue "until our funds run out or we find him and bring him home."
Local search and rescue, volunteers from outside the community, RCMP members and RCMP police dog services had been taking part in a search by land, air and water, according to a news release from RCMP. Cpl. Robert Frizell told CBC that aside from the role of the sniffing dog, the police had been primarily helping the volunteer searchers with co-ordination and logistics.
Kearsey said while the dog did not find any clues on land that might lead to Whiteman, that information has allowed volunteers to focus their search for Whiteman on the water.
Volunteers have also been searching Lennie Lake by boat, although on some hours in the past few days, it has been occasionally too windy to search the water, Kearsey said. When the volunteers are unable to go on the water they help the Whiteman family at their cabin and give ceremonial offerings to the river, she added.
RCMP expressed their sympathy for Whiteman's family.
"It is always a difficult decision to make and no one involved takes that responsibility lightly," Cpl. Robert Frizzell said in a statement from RCMP.
"We wish to thank all the volunteers and support agencies who put in long hours in sometimes difficult conditions to continue this search. Our sympathy goes out to the family of Mr. [Whiteman]."
RCMP say Whiteman's missing person investigation remains open.
Kearsey said the Sahtu Search and Rescue Society has raised approximately $25,000 to fund their search effort but the team is spending about $4,000 or more each day because of the cost of flights, fuel, and other supplies.
She said she bore no ill will to the RCMP for withdrawing from the search, adding, "they've been a great support and a wonderful help."
