Not one clue found in search for missing Keene man

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September 5, 2008

Anonymous The Press Republican Fri Sep 05, 2008, 12:00 AM EDT

Expanded efforts fail to uncover any clues

By KIM SMITH DEDAM

KEENE -- The search for a missing Keene man expanded Thursday into the Hurricane Mountain Wilderness Area.

But intensive efforts turned up not a single clue.

Department of Environmental Conservation spokesman David Winchell said no sign of Jeremy Quinn, 38, has been uncovered after three days of combing forests in Keene.

"Over 150 people searched the woods (Thursday) without finding Jeremy Quinn, evidence of his presence or clues to his whereabouts," Winchell said in a statement.

GRID SEARCH

The primary search focused on an area bounded by Route 73, Route 9N, Hurricane Road and Jackson Road in Keene.

"While searchers covered the whole primary search area, they focused considerable effort on two drainage areas, which were searched twice using Type 3 (grid) search techniques, searching from a different direction each time," Winchell said of the tactical approach.

"After three days of intensive searching, DEC forest rangers are confident that the efforts made over the past few days should have resulted in the location of a lost or injured person."

Forest rangers have concluded Quinn is not lost or injured in the primary search area.

The incident has been turned over to State Police as a missing-person investigation, Winchell said.

"Now, forest rangers will be assisting the State Police in the missing-person investigation."

TACTIC CHANGE

Today, rangers will lead six crews of volunteers from the local fire departments and community in roadside sweeps to search for any evidence that may suggest Quinn's whereabouts, Winchell said.

The Keene native disappeared Tuesday morning after calling to say he would be 20 minutes late to work at the AuSable Club.

An all-out search began Tuesday night, when Quinn was first reported missing by family.

State Police had begun conducting a parallel missing-person investigation.

"We've kind of switched roles with State Police this afternoon," Winchell said late Thursday afternoon.

Quinn's wife, Sheryl, works for DEC in Ray Brook; the couple have two young children.

Quinn's unattended vehicle was found on Hickey Lane, near a camp he takes care of off Schaefer Road, which connects Hurricane Road with Route 9N.

Hurricane Road circumnavigates a steep hillside of lower ridges below Hurricane Mountain and two smaller peaks.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Spearheading the search, Forest Ranger Captain John Streiff said that the outpouring of support from the community was essential in conducting a thorough search.

Winchell said multi-agency search efforts resumed shortly after daybreak Thursday involving DEC Forest Rangers, DEC Environmental Conservation Police, State Police, State Police Aviation, Essex County Sheriff's Department, Keene Fire Department, Keene Valley Fire Department, Lake Placid Fire Department, Search and Rescue of the Northern Adirondacks, DEC regional staff, Adirondack Park Agency staff, AuSable Club staff and many local volunteers.

"The support of the community has been overwhelming," Winchell said, commending volunteer support crews providing food, water and other supplies.

kdedam@pressrepublican.com