Search for missing public official in Dover ends after 4 days; investigation still active
The investigation remains active, police said late Wednesday as the command post was being closed down, and the agency's Bureau of Criminal Investigation is pursuing all incoming leads.
New York State Police have ended a multi-agency search for Ryan Courtien in the hills of eastern Dutchess County, though the investigation is ongoing and police are still seeking leads into Courtien's whereabouts.
State Police recently reached out to social media groups for hikers seeking leads as they searched parts of the Appalachian Trail Wednesday.
Several hikers who were taking breaks from their treks at the trail crossing on Route 22 said they appreciated the heads-up since they often find themselves "in the zone," not thinking to look up.
Now, they said, they will look up.
"Sometimes you just have a destination so you just kind of like put it in gear," said one concerned hiker from Arkansas who was headed toward Maine, "and you just don't really pay attention to your surroundings."
The multi-agency search expanded over four days, beginning in the area of Courtien's home off Old Pawling Road before extending to parts of the Appalachian Trail about three miles from his home.
Police said Courtien's son was the last person to see him Sunday morning as Courtien went outside to do yard work.
He never returned.
Wednesday's heat, smoky air and rugged landscape challenged search crews Wednesday.
Scent-tracking dogs helped check spots that were overgrown with vegetation or hard to reach.
"There's very thick brush. There are swampy areas. There are cliffs," state police spokesperson Trooper Krystal Paolicelli said. "So the men and women are experiencing difficult terrain back there."
They dealt with the overgrowth in the hills and along the hiking trail.
Towering plants lined a section of wooden walkway on the trail west of Route 22.
Beneath the walkway was a four-foot drop to a swamp.
In addition to Courtien's past service as the Dover Town Supervisor for eight years, Courtien is also a firefighter with the JH Ketcham Hose Company, the town's planning board chairperson and a longtime advocate of the Appalachian Trail.
Courtien is also a close friend of current town supervisor Richard Yeno, who has been a rock for Courtien's family.
"He's a son. He's a husband. He's a father of two," Yeno said. "They want to know [what happened] just like we want to know. We won't stop until we find out."
Paolicelli said Wednesday state police have been following leads from locals saying they might have seen someone matching Courtien's description.
They are still seeking new leads, including those from hikers passing through.
The investigation remains active, Paolicelli said late Wednesday as the command post was being closed down, and the agency's Bureau of Criminal Investigation is pursuing all incoming leads.
Anyone who might have information on Courtien's whereabouts is asked to call New York State Police at 845-677-7300.
