The Chronicle Herald (Provincial)
Search continues for missing man
At a tiny community hall in Plymouth, Yarmouth County, hearts were hopeful and heavy on Sunday as the search continued for a missing Yarmouth County man.
Everyone was looking for Zack Lefave, who was last seen in the late hours of New Year's Eve and the very early hours of New Year's Day.
On Sunday, people were also posting happy birthday messages — the day of Lefave's 21st birthday — on Facebook, telling Lefave, of Hebron, Yarmouth County, they were thinking about him and desperate to see him reunited with his family and friends.
At the hall in Plymouth — located about 12 kilometres outside of the town of Yarmouth — logistics command trucks from the Yarmouth County Ground Search and Rescue team were set up as a steady stream of ATVS and side-by-sides passed by and/ or pulled up to update search efforts.
The official active search over the weekend involved members of the Yarmouth County Ground Search and Rescue team, the RCMP and the Wedgeport (Plymouth) volunteer fire department.
However, members of the public have also been looking for the young man. Many people had been searching since Lefave's family shared on social media on Jan. 1 that he was missing. People voluntarily headed out in allterrain vehicles and Jeeps to access trails and backroads for any sign of Lefave. Others searched on foot.
Meanwhile, people from the community, and businesses, dropped off donations of food and water at the hall in Plymouth, carrying concern and support, along with nourishment, on the trays and in the boxes they brought for family members, friends and searchers. So many donations were dropped off that Lefave's family asked instead that donations be dropped off for the hall, as a show of the family's gratitude.
Zack's mother, Lorna Lefave, said Sunday she and her family are anxious for information that will help the RCMP and searchers find her son, who did not show up for work the day he went missing — another indication that something was not right after people lost contact with him overnight. The family says it's overwhelming not knowing exactly where searches should be focusing their efforts.
Much of the official search effort has been concentrated in the Plymouth area of Yarmouth County because this is where a last known confirmed sighting of Lefave was. The RCMP had previously said in a media release that Lefave had been seen walking on Highway 334 in Plymouth on Jan. 1 at about 12:30 a.m. He was wearing a hat and plaid shirt. At one point he was in his boxer shorts.
Given how much of the Plymouth area has been searched, his family can't also help but wonder if he was given a drive somewhere else. His mother says it just feels like there is a piece of this puzzle missing. They also hope anyone with video surveillance on their homes or businesses check them is case Lefave is spotted on them.
On Sunday Lefave's former employer, Huntley's Village Meat Market of Canning, offered a $1,000 cash reward for information that would help bring Zack home. His family discussed this with the RCMP.
Throughout the search people have been asked to contact the RCMP or Crimestoppers with information that will help. Anyone with information can contact the Yarmouth RCMP at 902-742-9106. Should people wish to remain anonymous they can contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www. crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
The family says that anyone who would also like to contribute to a cash reward for information can text 1-780832-5818.
On social media, since word broke on New Year's Day that this young man was missing, thousands of posts have been shared, asking people to keep an eye out for the missing man and to contact the RCMP with any information they may have that could aid in the search. People have also been offering their assistance through social media posts, while praying for Lefave's return and seeking answers or clues as to where he could be.
People were also expressing gratitude on how the community is pulling together. His family says they are especially thankful for the unbelievable outpouring of support.
On Sunday the RCMP incident commander of the official search for Lefave was asking the public to remain vigilant and to keep an eye out for any changes they've noticed on their properties.
“Keep an eye for anything that's changed. If they know they have an outbuilding and they notice the door has been pried open, please let us know and we'll check that out. We're just trying to locate him,” said RCMP Cpl. Jeff Leblanc, of the Meteghan RCMP detachment, in an interview at the command centre on Sunday shortly before noon.
“There's a lot of people, homeowners and the general public that want to be engaged, which is great,” he said. “We're not saying don't go out and search, however if they do find something to let us know and don't disturb it.”
Leblanc said all tips and reports coming into the RCMP had been, or were being, followed up on. He said the RCMP welcomed any information from the public as it could lead to something new.
“We have several RCMP members that are continuing to search any leads and our investigation is progressing that way,” he said.
A Lands and Forestry helicopter was in the air on Sunday to aid with the search. The previous evening the Yarmouth County Ground Search and Rescue team had asked people not to use drones in the area because the helicopter would be flying low and the presence of drones could cause a dangerous situation.
“We have boats in the water too. We're searching the Tusket River and the Chebogue River and we also have aircraft searching those shorelines as well,” Leblanc said.
Asked if there were canine units being used in the search, Leblanc said prior to noon on Sunday there hadn't been as of yet, but he didn't discount from that happening.
“That's in consideration. We don't have canine here on the ground at this time because there is no indication of where I can send a dog to that would make proper use of it,” he said.