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| Taylor Elliott contributed photo |
- Helicopter search to be conducted today, December 11
- Drone technology to be deployed
- Organizers say any clue could be critical
- Don't contaminate possible clues or trails
Video excerpt of December 10 debriefing:
Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice
Family, friends, and volunteers searching for Taylor Elliott gathered at the Pincher Creek Golf Course clubhouse on Tuesday evening for a debriefing, to which area press was also invited. Elliott has been missing since 4:30 am Sunday, December 1, 2013.
Search coordinator Rod Sinclair spoke first to those assembled. Janet Jones also elaborated on some points. Sinclair and Jones are well known in this community, and Jones is a leading member of Pincher Creek Search and Rescue, but both of them are involved in the search as private citizens at this time.
"I'm going to give you an update on some of the things we did today, and some of our plans for tomorrow," said Rod Sinclair. "Some of the smaller points." He explained that the searchers were able to get out to check "a few locations" on December 10, after a break in the previously severe winter weather made searching more viable. He explained that records were being kept of locations that have been searched.
"We're keeping track of those, and we know what we've checked and what we didn't."
Sinclair also had some good news, explaining that a private helicopter would be joining the search today, weather permitting. Additionally, Isis Geomatics will be lending flying drone technology to the effort. "He's going to bring two of those pieces of equipment up, we've got a team to go with him. We've mapped out areas that we want to fly, and the various drainages with this drone."
Sinclair said some of those areas have not yet been checked due to weather conditions.
"This is going to give us a lot of intel, and we suspect we're going to be able to use them for the whole day."
"With the helicopter, we'll fly some other areas."
"Based on the intel we get back from that, that will give us a bit more of a plan for the following day."
"If we don't come up with anything, any clues or anything else, I just want to re-stress that's not necessarily bad news. I tend to look at it more as good news. The more we know he isn't locally, the more places we've eliminated, it does put more weight on the fact that Taylor's left. And if he's left and is somewhere else, then he's probably okay. There's a whole bunch of questions around that I know that people have. 'Why hasn't he been in contact with anybody?'. There could be good reason for that, but if we just hold onto the fact that if he's gone, he's gone, and then he will be found."
"We want to fully eliminate as much as we can, locally."
Janet Jones talked about the official Search and Rescue search that is currently suspended. "It's still there, it's still just simmering in the background. They're ready to go, if there's any clues."
"RCMP have 70 men available if we need foot pounders, and they have dogs available, and they've got helicopters available, but they need a direction."
Jones explained Search and Rescue gets their direction from the RCMP.
Jones also explained the importance of not contaminating possible physical clues, including trails or personal items. Interfering with possible clues may damage the effectiveness of tracking dogs. If you find anything that might be related to Taylor Elliott's disappearance you are asked to leave the item(s) alone and contact RCMP immediately.
A woman in attendance said she encourages anyone that has found any clues, for example a backpack or other personal articles, to contact police, or if someone cannot conduct a search on their property to contact the searchers and volunteers can assist.
It was repeatedly reiterated by Janet Jones, Rod Sinclair, and others that any clue might be vital, and could lead to more RCMP involvement.
Underscoring that plea to treat any clue as important, the RCMP announced the suspension of the official ground search on December 6 because "Between the conditions and what's been searched already we really just have nowhere left to search at this time," explained Pincher Creek RCMP Corporal Jeff Feist (on December 6).
From the official RCMP press release of December 4:
Pincher Creek RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in locating 22 year old Taylor William ELLIOTT of Pincher Creek. Taylor ELLIOTT was reported missing by his family and believed to have left his residence on December 1, 2013 at approximately 4:30 am. ELLIOTT is described as 5'11" tall, 185 lbs with blue eyes, a full beard and light brown hair. If you know where Taylor ELLIOTT is or have any information in this regard, please contact the Pincher Creek RCMP Detachment at 403-627-6000.
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