Missing Cherokee man not found in Spivey Mountain near Asheville despite extensive search
Searchers have found no evidence of a missing Cherokee man after an extensive April 29 search of the Spivey Mountain area west of Asheville.
The search for Gabriel Thor Crow, 27, of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, in that hilly area was stopped at 5 p.m. after 120 personnel, K9s and drones conducted a seven-hour "grid search," according to an April 30 release from the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office.
Animal and wildlife remains were located during the search, but no evidence as to the whereabouts of Crow was found in the area, the release said.
“We appreciate the public’s cooperation in remaining out of these areas during the search," sheriff's office Capt. Dustan Auldredge said in the release. "The Investigation into Gabriel Crow’s disappearance is still ongoing by the Asheville Police Department.”
Eighteen different agencies, including local fire departments, the State Bureau of Investigation and North Carolina Emergency Management participated.
Crow was last seen on Jan. 25 on Smokey Park Highway, according to an APD social media post. The search around Spivey Mountain began after after "recent information gathered by law enforcement suggests that Mr. Crow may be in the vicinity," APD said.
Crow is described as a Native American male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, around 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing dark-colored jeans and a black jacket.
Dozens of volunteers, friends and family members have led ground searches for Crow since his disappearance, according to social media posts. A GoFundMe page was started for his family to help raise funds to go toward a four-week billboard sign in the neighborhood where Crow was last seen, as well as hiring a private investigator, travel support for extended search parties and printing a high volume of flyers.
Anyone with information on Gabriel Crow’s disappearance is asked to contact the Asheville Police Department. An anonymous tip can be submitted using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store) or text TIP2APD to 847411. APD can also be contacted by calling 828-252-1110.
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Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Searchers don't find missing Cherokee man in search west of Asheville
