DANVILLE, W.Va. –– The search for a missing autistic man in Boone County continues, but so far there’s been no sign of the individual.
Alex Shear, 24, went missing from his home in Danville last Tuesday. He was spotted several hours later in the community of Low Gap. Since then, nothing.
“Every hour and every day that passes gets more and more concerning to us,” said Boone County Sheriff Chad Barker.
The search in the area was comprehensive over the weekend. There were dozens of volunteers and out-of-area first responders who joined the search. The effort included helicopters, drones, tracking and cadaver dogs, divers, and underwater drones. Still, no trace of him was found.
“We were able to follow up on any leads we had that we thought were credible,” said Barker.
Barker said they were able to exhaust about everything they could with the information they had developed.
“It makes me think he’s not in that area and that he left that area. Maybe he hitched a ride with somebody, but there’s also a possibility that he’s in the water,” he said.
Despite the lengthy time-line, Barker said search teams have not given up hope of finding Shear alive. However, with each passing day, and cooler nights, the hopes begin to get more and more shaky.
Shear and his family were new to the area and hadn’t lived in Danville long enough for Alex to develop any relationships or friendships to where he would know somebody well enough to go with them. He may also not respond to rescue teams searching for him for the same reason.
If anyone has any information on Shear’s whereabouts they’re asked to contact the Boone County Sheriff’s Department.