BANGOR, Maine — The Maine Marine Patrol has been searching the waters near the Hancock-Sullivan Bridge for an Ellsworth man who has not been seen in more than a week.
Matthew LaForest, 28, was reported missing to the Ellsworth Police Department Friday, June 19, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.
LaForest’s vehicle was found in Hancock at the scenic turnout near the Hancock-Sullivan Bridge.
According to police, LaForest was last seen at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 18.
A police department dispatcher said Thursday that the case has been turned over to the Maine Marine Patrol, which has been searching nearby waters with side scan sonar equipment, as well as aircraft, according to Maine Marine Patrol Sgt. Troy Dow.
Dow said that tracking and cadaver dogs also were used, as well as divers and surface and shoreline searchers.
He also said that sonar equipment and divers were used to investigate points of interest indicated by cadaver dogs.
As of Thursday evening, however, LaForest had yet to be located and the search has been scaled back pending further information on possible locations, Dow said.
“We’re going to continue with sporadic searches in the area. We’re in the area checking other things, lobster fishermen and so on,” he said.
“We will continue to keep extra eyes on the area and we also plan to continue fixed-wing flights over the area, but as far as continuing to run sonar and divers, we just can’t maintain that forever. No. 1, there’s a lot of water there, and No. 2, it’s very difficult with the falls. There’s a lot of confused tides. There’s a lot of variables there,” he said.
Dow said that among the reasons for the water search were the location of LaForest’s vehicle and witnesses who saw him in the area, going between the vehicle and the shore. None of the witnesses, however, said they saw the missing man enter the water or get on the bridge.
“We want to find him, wherever he is, whether he’s in the water or hitchhiking across the country with his friends,” Dow said. “Obviously, if he is in the water we want to do everything in our power to bring him home.”