Pastor, father stay hopeful during search for missing man in Bladen Co.
BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The search continues for a missing 23-year-old Fayetteville man in Bladen County.
It’s been three days now of searching and there are still no answers.
Nearly 20 local groups including police, sheriff’s offices and search and rescue teams have been working tirelessly since 7 a.m. and are now wrapping up for the night.
Officials say crews are using everything from drones, side scan sonar devices on boats to k-9 crews on the water and on the ground.
They have more than 90 people out here including friends and family.
Jesse’s father, David, says his son is a worship leader and was here on a retreat with his church.
Lead pastor Stacy Long says Jesse was just following a beloved tradition when he went missing taking the canoes out to watch the sunset.
“Every night that’s a tradition for four years,” Long said. “That’s what we did on Friday night. Jesse went out by himself and he often goes out alone to spend time with God. I was one of the last people to see him and he was singing. So he was in a really, really good place and really, really happy.”
Jesse’s canoe was found upright in the lake with his cell phone and jacket inside.
“We got in the canoes and we all started paddling in different directions and I went to the last place I had seen him. He wasn’t there. And I don’t know half an hour later we found his canoe without him on the side of the lake. It is still in the water against the brush. And his cell phone was in it, his jacket was in it. No paddle, no Jesse. And then we were like ‘Oh no, this is not good.'”
“In my mind, I’m a father, my son is missing so there’s the hope that he’s just going to walk out of the woods or they’re going to find him,” David said. “There’s always the reality that we’re not going to see him. And that’s not an easy thing for a parent to consider.”
He and David hope he’s not out there just waiting for help.
“If he’s safe I hope he’s feeling the presence of God and the love of God and he knows that we wouldn’t give up on him. If he’s in heaven he’s a heck of a lot happier than us. And we’re the only sad ones,” Long said.
“We miss you,” David said. “We’re praying for you. We love you very much. And we can’t wait to be with you, to hug you, and to let you know how much we love you.”
Since the search wasn’t successful tonight, crews plan to continue their search Tuesday.
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