Search called off for Massachussetts man

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Story Published: Oct 14, 2008 at 11:07 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 3:54 AM PDT

GRANGEVILLE - The search for a Massachusetts man missing in the mountains of Idaho County has been suspended.

In a news release from the Idaho County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Larry Dasenbrock said the search was suspended Tuesday “with great reluctance.”

62-year-old Ron Gray, of Essex County, MA, has been missing since September 19.

Dasenbrock said the weather and concern for the safety of the searchers and aircraft, made it necessary to stop the search. The Idaho County Sheriff’s Office had been conducting both air and ground searches for the missing man since September 28.

The last contact with Gray was on September 19. He was supposed to meet at an outfitter’s camp on September 23 and did not show up.

“As Mr. Gray had been two days overdue the previous year, the outfitter did not believe a full search was appropriate at that time and advised they would continue to look throughout the weekend,” the news release said. “On September 28 at 3:20 p.m., the outfitter called and requested assistance with the search.”

The sheriff’s office said approximately 1,000 square miles of extremely rugged terrain ranging between 2,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation was searched northeast of Kooskia.

The search included personnel from the Idaho County Sheriff’s Posse, Meadow Creek Outfitters, area hunters, local guides and outfitters, friends and former co-workers of Mr. Gray in addition to helicopters from the National Guard, the Army and Hillcrest Aircraft and several dog teams from Clearwater County.

Friends, family and well-wishers have forwarded $1,975.00 in donations to the Idaho County Sheriff’s Posse in an effort to help defray the approximate $20,000.00 in helicopter and fuel expenses incurred during the search.

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