JOYCE — The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office returned to the physical search for Kevin Richter of Joyce after his bank told investigators last week that there had been no activity on his account since he went missing Feb. 10.
About 10 searchers with K-9 police dogs on Saturday combed the area near where Richter’s bike and cell phone had been found by a family member on Feb. 11 and discovered no signs of the missing man, said Chief Deputy Brian King with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday.
After some 30 friends, family members and deputies searched unsuccessfully the area near his Crescent Beach Road home, investigators had issued search warrants for the 32-year-old man’s bank transaction records, in the third week of February.
King said at the time that if banking activity were seen after Richter’s disappearance “then we would know he’s OK.”
Today, investigators will analyze search patterns and decide the next steps, King said Sunday.
A family friend reported Richter missing at about 5:30 p.m. Feb. 10, saying he had been despondent when he left his home.
He also is suspected to have been in possession of a handgun; he is not believed to be a danger to others, King has said.
His banking activity and his search of websites devoted to the topic of disappearing prompted investigators to suspect he had wanted to leave and not be found, according to King. The lack of activity on his bank account, however, prompted more searching.
A skilled outdoorsman, Richter is believed to have been wearing a camouflage sweatshirt and Carhartt blue jeans when he left his home.
He is described as standing 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing about 180 pounds. He has blue eyes, brown hair and a beard.
Anyone with information as to Richter’s whereabouts is asked to call sheriff’s dispatchers at 360-417-2459.
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Executive Editor Leah Leach can be reached at 360-417-3530 or at lleach@peninsuladailynews.com.
