Missing Man: Peter Achermann--MN--07/24/2009

[Jenn]

Print a Poster: http://www.projectjason.org/aan/AAN_PeterAchermann.pdf

http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/073009/new_20090730032.shtml

Staples man is still missing

By MATT ERICKSON
Staff Writer



The last time anyone saw Peter Achermann, he was shopping in Staples.

That was last Friday, almost a full week ago. What happened to the 82-year-old rural Leader man after that is anyone's guess.

His vehicle was found Saturday night about 10 miles from his home north of Leader. The vehicle, a 1995 Chevrolet station wagon, was on a minimum maintenance road, hung up in a mud hole. It's from that point that law enforcement, family, friends and volunteers have started their searches.

So far no sign of Achermann has been found.

"We're scared. He's been gone for so long," said family friend Betty Gold.

Gold said Achermann should be easy to spot if someone meets him. He is white man, about 5-foot-9, 175 pounds and has a black and gray beard and generally walks with a cane. He is also distinguishable by the crocheted berets he always wears and by his pleasant demeanor, Gold said.

"He is a character and an interesting man, a very, very interesting man," said Gold, who has known Achermann and his family for decades. "If you ever saw him, or talked to him, you would never forgot Peter."

Searches have included foot patrols, on horseback and all-terrain vehicle, in the air with helicopters and with scent-finding K9 units. It's all been concentrated in the area where Achermann's vehicle was found, said Cass County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Tom Burch.

The searches will continue, he said.

"We'll do as much as we can until we run out of area to search," Burch said. "What we find dictates how long we continue."

Burch said foul play cannot be ruled out at this point but there's been nothing found that would indicate Achermann's disappearance is criminal. He said according to the family, Achermann was in good health and on no medications. His only infirmity was that he needed a cane to get around.

"It's really a strange thing," Burch said. "If we could answer some of these things we wouldn't be where we are. We don't know where to look except around where his vehicle was found."

A woman who answered the phone at Achermann's home on 60th Street Southwest said all inquiries should be made to the sheriff's department.

Gold said Achermann is a native of Switzerland and was very proud of the farm he set up north of Leader. He loved visiting with people, philosophizing on politics and was proud of the home he built in the United States. He had intended to speak at his granddaughter's wedding last Saturday, the day after he disappeared, Gold said.

"He is a happy, loving man and his wife is the same way. They are loving family," Gold said. "Family is so important to him, that's why I know something had to happen to him. You can't get the prayers out of your mind because your so worried."

Anyone with information on Achermann's whereabouts is asked to call the Cass County Sheriff's Department at (800) 450-2677 or at (218) 547-3394.

[Jenn]

http://www.startribune.com/local/52031382.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

Search continues for man, 82, near Staples

Last update: July 29, 2009 - 9:47 PM

Authorities scaled back their search Wednesday for an 82-year-old central Minnesota man who disappeared nearly a week ago.

There's no indication of foul play, Cass County Chief Deputy Tom Burch said.

Scent dogs were out Wednesday at 5 a.m. in a heavily wooded area of Becker Township. Dozens of volunteers searched a 1-mile square section of the township, Burch said.

Authorities haven't found any new clues since discovering Achermann's 1995 Chevrolet station wagon stuck in a muddy dead-end country road Saturday night in a rural area northeast of Staples.

Achermann is white, about 5 feet 9 and weights about 175 pounds. He has a gray beard and usually walks with a cane.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call the sheriff's office at 1-800-450-2677.

[Jenn]

http://www.wxow.com/Global/story.asp?S=10813159

Search on for missing Minn. man

Associated Press - July 29, 2009 4:14 PM ET

STAPLES, Minn. (AP) - Searchers continue looking for an 82-year-old rural Staples man who missed a family wedding.

Peter Achermann (ACK'-ur-muhn) has been missing since Friday. He was supposed to attend the wedding Saturday.

Achermann's car was found Saturday evening stuck in a dirt trail mudhole northeast of Staples. But Cass County Sheriff Randy Fisher says there was no sign of Achermann.

Achermann is white, about 5-foot-9, 175 pounds with a gray beard and generally walks with a cane.

Authorities are continuing an air and ground search. Volunteers and family members also are searching.

[LoriDavis]

http://www.wctrib.com/event/article/id/55468/group/home/
Search area expanded for missing Staples man; No new significant clues have been found
By: Tribune News, West Central Tribune
Published August 03 2009

STAPLES - The search for missing 82-year-old Staples man in Cass County is now the 10th day with searchers finding no new significant clues since locating his car July 25 on a remote road in a southwestern Cass County township.

Peter Achermann, 82, of rural Staples, has been missing since July 24 when he was last seen in Staples. His 1995 Chevrolet station wagon he was driving was located July 26 stuck in a mud hole on a dead-end minimum maintenance road in northern Becker Township in Cass County, located about six miles northeast of Staples.

Achermann is a white man, about 5-foot-9, 175 pounds and has a gray beard and generally walks with a cane. He lives on a Moose Lake Township farm north of Leader.

Authorities have expanded the geographic search area over the weekend to a 2.5 miles radius around the location where Achermann's abandoned car was found. Multiple search dog teams are working the search area.

Volunteers and authorities are continuing the search today, still focusing in north Becker Township.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Cass County Sheriff's Department immediately at (800) 450-2677 or (218) 547-1424.

Public wishing to assist in the Achermann search should call (218) 547-1424 or go directly to the search staging area.
From Staples: take County Road 33 (Warner Road) east until you cross the Crow Wing River Bridge into Cass County, take the next left on County Road 32 and go two miles, then take a right onto 85th Ave. Southwest and park along the roadway, then walk a a short distance to the search staging area.

From Motley: Take state Highway 64 about 2.5 miles north, turn left on County Road 33 (Warner Road), travel west until you reach County Road 32, turn right and travel two miles, take a right onto 85th Ave. Southwest and park along the roadway, then walk a a short distance to the search staging area.

[Jenn]

http://www.wctrib.com/event/article/id/55655/group/home/

Published August 07 2009

Missing man seach enters third week, search effort needs help

By: AP wire report, The Associated Press

STAPLES - Peter Achermann has been missing for more than two weeks. Authorities, family and friends have been searching every day since without any success and are getting tired. Two Minnesota legislators Thursday asked for search assistance from the Minnesota National Guard.

Acherman, 82, of rural Staples, has been missing since July 24 when he was traveled to Staples on family errands. He was last seen at Ernie’s Food Store in Staples the afternoon of July 24. He also visited the Lakewood Health System Hospital in Staples that afternoon.

He was scheduled to attend a wedding groom's dinner the night he went missing and a granddaughter's wedding the following day. He never appeared at either family event.

His disappearance is out of character for him, according to his family. He has always called if he was going to be late for any reason, said Delaine Achermann, his wife of 56 years.

The car he was driving was found July 25 stuck on a dead-end minimum maintenance road in Cass County's Becker Township, located about six miles northeast of Staples.

The search for Achermann is now in its 15th day.

The Achermann search has not found any new significant clues since locating his car July 25 on a remote minimum-maintenance road in Becker Township. The search area is nearly 25 miles southwest of Ackermann’s rural farm located north of Leader.

Family and friends have been searching every day, rain or shine. They are searching through heavy woods, thick brush and swampland of Becker Township. It is a tiring and heart-wrenching search.

State Representatives John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, and Al Doty, DFL-Royalton, wrote a letter to Gov. Tim Pawlenty requesting assistance from the Minnesota National Guard. They believe the Guard assistance will help make the search more effective and bring fresh searchers to the effort. The number of search volunteers, which numbered hundreds in the early days of the search effort, has declined this week.

The Achermann family just wants to find Peter and bring him home. Peter and Delaine Achermann have 11 children, 21 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 13 foster children.

Authorities have expanded the geographic search area this week to a 3-mile radius around the location where Achermann's abandoned car was found. Multiple search dog teams are working sectors of the search area every day.

Achermann is a white man, about 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, has a gray beard, and generally walks with a cane. He did not have dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Anyone who has seen Achermann or knows of his whereabouts is asked to call the Cass County Sheriff's Department immediately at (800) 450-2677 or (218) 547-1424.

The Achermann search continues today. Individuals wishing to assist in the Achermann search should call (218) 547-1424 or go directly to the search staging area.

From Staples: take County Road 33 (Warner Road) east until you cross the Crow Wing River Bridge into Cass County, take the next left on County Road 32 and go two miles, then take a right onto 85th Ave. Southwest and park along the roadway, then walk a short distance to the search staging area.

From Motley: Take state Highway 64 about 2.5 miles north, turn left on County Road 33 (Warner Road), travel west until you reach County Road 32, turn right and travel two miles, take a right onto 85th Ave. Southwest and park along the roadway, then walk a short distance to the search staging area.

[Jenn]

http://ksax.com/article/stories/S1071331.shtml?cat=10230

Posted at: 08/06/2009 4:49 PM | KSAX.com
By: Becky Nahm


State Lawmakers Want Guard to Search for Missing Man
Cass Co. Officials Search For Missing Staples Man

Two state lawmakers are asking Governor Tim Pawlenty to deploy National Guard troops to assist in the search for a missing Leader man.

Peter Achermann, 82, was last seen Friday, June 24 in Staples.

His vehicle was found the following day. Cass County authorities launched a massive search but did not find Achermann.

Thursday DFL Representatives John Ward, of Brainerd, and Al Doty, of Royalton, sent a letter to Pawlenty asking for help.

Doty said, "Bringing the National Guard on board with this effort will make the search that much more effective."

Achermann is 5-foot, 9-inches tall with a grey beard and generally walks with a cane.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Cass County Sheriff's Office at 218-547-1424 or 1-800-450-2677.

[Denise Harrison]

http://www.reviewmessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2265:governor-directs-mn-national-guard-to-assist-in-search-of-missing-staples-man&catid=78:school-board

Governor directs MN National Guard to assist in search of missing Staples man

Governor Tim Pawlenty signed Emergency Executive Order 09-10 on Friday, August 7, directing the Minnesota National Guard to assist the Cass County Sheriff in search and recovery efforts for the missing man from Staples.  

On or about Friday, July 24, Peter Achermann, 82, of rural Staples was reported missing in the Cass County area.  The Cass County Sherriff today requested National Guard assistance in search and recovery operations after exhausting all local resources.  The Governor's Emergency Executive Order calls for personnel and equipment assistance from the Minnesota National Guard.

[Jenn]

http://wcco.com/local/missing.grandfather.staples.2.1123096.html

Aug 11, 2009 8:24 am US/Central

Dogs Join Search For Missing Grandfather



STAPLES, Minn. (WCCO) •

Dogs are helping to search for a Minnesota grandfather who disappeared more than two weeks ago.

Peter Achermann, 82, of Staples, Minn., told family he was heading out to work on a speech for his granddaughter's wedding.

A day before the wedding, search teams found his car near Staples. It had groceries and prescription medicine for his wife inside. Missing were his car keys and his walking cane. There has been no sign of Achermann since.

Authorities said they didn't find signs of foul play in the car, but don't know why he was on the road miles from his home.

"He does not live down this way. We don't know why he would have been down this road," said Cass County Sheriff Randy Fisher.

On Saturday, teams from the Minnesota National Guard joined in the search.

Achermann's family said he didn't have any medical problems before he disappeared. His wife describes him as a family man who was looking forward to his granddaughter's wedding. The couple has eight children, 13 foster children and 23 grandchildren.

[Jenn]

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/Natl_Guard_Halts_Search_Efforts_for_Missing_Staples_Man_aug_10_2009

Nat’l Guard Halts Search Efforts for Missing Staples Man
Achermann was last seen on July 24

Published : Monday, 10 Aug 2009, 3:36 PM CDT



STAPLES, Minn. - After assisting in a search for a missing 82-year-old Staples man, the Minnesota National Guard has stopped its efforts on Monday.

The National Guard joined Peter Achermann’s family and volunteers in the search over the weekend and did not find him or any clues.

The National Guard will no longer be participating in the search unless asked again.

The Cass County sheriff on Friday requested National Guard assistance in search and recovery operations after exhausting all local resources.

Achermann’s car was found in a remote, wooded area in north central Minnesota. Police have no idea how it got there or where Achermann could be.

The Cass County sheriff’s office and volunteers combed through every inch of woods where his car was found. Achermann walks with a cane and couldn’t have gotten far from his truck.

“It’s been so frustrating because we keep thinking today is the day then no clues, the only thing we have is the car, Delaine Achermann, Peter's wife of 56 years, said.

Achermann didn’t have dementia or Alzheimer’s

Anyone who has seen Achermann or knows of his whereabouts is asked to call the Cass County Sheriff's Office at 1-800-450-2677.

[Jenn]

http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/081109/new_20090811010.shtml

Still no signs of missing rural Leader man

By MATT ERICKSON
Staff Writer

Another week has passed without any sign as to the whereabouts of Peter Achermann.

Achermann, 82, of rural Leader, has been missing since July 24. He was last seen in Staples and his vehicle was found the next day about 10 miles from his home, stuck in a mud puddle on a minimum maintenance road.

The Cass County Sheriff's Department along with numerous volunteers during the past two weeks have looked for Achermann in the area where his vehicle was found.

On Saturday and Sunday, the sheriff's department was assisted in its search for Achermann by members of the Minnesota National Guard. Along with soldiers and sheriff's department staff on the ground, a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter was used to fly low over the area, said Sheriff's Sgt. Erick Hoglund.

Also joining this past weekends effort were three search and rescue dogs and their handlers along with many other volunteers.

"We didn't come up with anything," Hoglund said. "The guards were a real asset. We worked well together and covered a lot of area but we still haven't found anything. It's hard on the family. Each day this goes along it gets harder on them."

Hoglund said the sheriff's department will continue its search for Achermann and National Guard soldiers are still available if needed. He also said sheriff's investigators are working to determine why Achermann was on the minimum maintenance road.

"We will keep looking for Mr. Achermann until we can find him," Hoglund said. "Hopefully we can find him for his family's sake."

[LoriDavis]

http://www.mcrecord.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=53975
 
Family asking for any information on the whereabouts of Peter Achermann
Tina Snell, Staff Writer
8/20/2009 9:54:00 AM

Peter Achermann, 82, of rural Motley was reported missing by his wife July 24. He has not been seen since that day, over four weeks ago.

Delaine, Achermann's wife of 56 years, said he left the house and went to Motley to run errands that day. He stopped at his daughter Desiree Greenwaldt's home to drop off baby's breath for the upcoming wedding of his granddaughter Simone Greenwaldt. He then stopped at Brick's Travel Center, also in Motley, where he bumped into his son Mike, who was in town for his niece's wedding. The two had coffee and visited.

From there, Achermann went to Lakewood Health System in Staples to pick up a prescription of Vicodin for Delaine. While there, he visited with employees.

After leaving Lakewood, he drove to Ernies Foods in Staples where he picked up a few items, again visiting with employees.

After that, Achermann disappeared.

"Everyone we and the police have spoken to said he was of good mind and spirits," said Greenwaldt. "He was excited about my daughter's wedding. He wouldn't have just disappeared by himself."

Saturday, July 25, his car was reported found on 85th Street, a minimum maintenance road north of Warner Road in Cass County. Delaine said others have said they saw the car there on July 24.

"He was expected home about 2 p.m. Friday," said Delaine. "When he didn't arrive at 3 p.m., I called friends to see if he stopped there. When he wasn't home for supper, I called the authorities, and they came immediately."

A four-mile radius from the car was searched extensively by as many as 150 people each day, during the first days Achermann was reported missing.

"Everyone from the community came out to help Saturday night after the wedding," said Greenwaldt. "Since then, people have searched by ATV, horse and walked shoulder-to-shoulder through the brush. Twenty-six dogs were brought in, helicopters came, as did private planes. The National Guard was here for two days searching. Nothing has been found."

There has been no indication of foul play, and no items that Achermann usually carried with him have been found. The Vicodin was laying on the front seat of the car and there has been no activity on his credit cards or his checking account.

"But, since we have found nothing, we do worry about foul play," said Greenwaldt.

"Peter had no enemies," said Delaine. "Everyone liked him. He was a senior companion, driving the elderly to appointments and helping them with grocery shopping. Not in our wildest dreams would we think anyone would hurt him."

But, on the other hand, Achermann was so willing to help others, he would have stopped to help a stranded motorist or a hitchhiker. His wife said he would have even driven them to their destination.

"We have heard the Cass County Sheriff's Department has leads and are following through," said Greenwaldt. "But, they tell us they have no clue yet what happened."

Achermann walked with a cane and was wearing a red, white and blue, floppy, beret-styled hat. His glasses were on a leather strap and he always wore a crucifix around his neck. None of these articles have been located.

If anyone has any information about the disappearance of Peter Achermann, the family and the authorities are asking them to call the Cass County Sheriff's Department at 1 (800) 450-2677.

[LoriDavis]

http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/082109/new_20090821002.shtml

'The search will continue every day'
Still no sign of rural Leader man
By JENNIFER STOCKINGER
Staff Writer
Friday, August 21, 2009 

The search continues for the 82-year-old rural Leader man who has been missing now for a month.

Peter Achermann was last seen July 24 at Ernie's Grocery in Staples. His vehicle was found the next day about 10 miles from his rural Leader home, stuck in a mud puddle on a minimum maintenance road. Groceries and prescription medications that Achermann had picked up the day before were still inside the vehicle. The vehicle keys were missing.

Searches have been daily since Achermann's disappearance and Cass County Sheriff Randy Fisher said canines would be used in a search Thursday in the same search area where the vehicle was found. Searches have taken place over a four square mile area in Becker Township, in the southwestern part of the county. Fisher said the area is impassable in some areas and there are wetlands, bogs, swamps, pasture lands, dense brush and woods and pine stands that have made the searches more difficult.

The searches for Achermann started with law enforcement, family members and hundreds of volunteers. Volunteers have included Achermann's family and friends, members of two fire departments, two dive teams, members of two mounted posses, the DNR with aircraft and vehicles for traversing wetlands, the State Patrol and members of the Minnesota National Guard helped search for one weekend.

"We've had hundreds of volunteers looking, but he still has not been found," said Fisher. "We are not requesting anymore volunteers at this time. The search will continue every day and will until he is found. He is a missing person and whether that was voluntary or involuntary it is important for us to continue.

"The one thing I want the public to know is that it is important for people to contact us if they have any information that can lead us to finding him."

Fisher said the sheriff's office is following up on all information and reports it receives on Achermann. Fisher said the sheriff's office has not had a lot of leads.

Fisher said the sheriff's office does not believe foul play is involved in Achermann's disappearance, but they can't rule it out.

Achermann is a white man, about 5-foot-9, 175 pounds and has a black and gray beard and generally walks with a cane.

Anyone with information on Achermann's whereabouts is asked to call the Cass County Sheriff's Department at (800) 450-2677 or (218) 547-1424.
 

[Kelly]

Project Jason Profile:

Name: Peter Achermann

Date of Birth:  05/21/1927
Date Missing:  07/24/2009
Age at time of disappearance:  82
City Missing From: Staples
State Missing From: Minnesota
Gender: Male
Race: White
Height:  5 ft10 in
Weight:  170 lbs
Hair Color: Grey
Eye Color: Brown

Identifying Characteristics: Peter has a grey beard and uses a cane when he walks.

Clothing: Red, white, and blue floppy hat

Jewelry: Crucifix on a leather strap

Circumstances of Disappearance: Peter was last seen at Ernie's Food Market in Staples, MN wherein he spoke to employees and behaved as he normally would. He was seen getting in hls grey station wagon in the parking lot. His vehicle was found the next day about 10 miles from his rural Leader home, stuck in a mud puddle on a minimum maintenance road. Groceries and prescription medications that Achermann had picked up the day before were still inside the vehicle. The vehicle keys are missing. Extensive searches have been performed in the area.


Medical Conditions: None.  Peter does not have dementia or Alzheimers.

Investigative Agency: Cass County Sheriff's Office
Agency Phone:  (218) 547-7309
Investigative Case #:  09009369

Print a Poster: http://www.projectjason.org/aan/AAN_PeterAchermann.pdf

[Kelly]

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Help us find the missing: Become an AAN Member and receive notifications about missing persons via email.

Click here to become a part of the solution: http://www.projectjason.org/awareness.html

[La Vina]

http://ksax.com/article/stories/S1159296.shtml?cat=10267

Benefit Planned for Search Effort of Missing Staples Man

09/25/2009
KSAX.com

STAPLES, MN - It's been two month since the disappearance of the 82-year-old Staples man, Peter Achermann.

Now friends, family, staff and faculty of Central Lakes College (Brainerd Community College) will have a benefit for Achermann who is an alumnus of Brainerd Community College.

The benefit will be held at the Bear's Den in Leader, Oct. 24. 

This will help raiser funds to cover search costs for Achermann who mysteriously disappeared on July 24 about 4 miles north of Staples and is still missing after exhaustive searching.

Achermann has no dementia nor Alzheimer's and is said to be very healthy for an 82-year-old man who spends his days helping others.

A number of students, faculty, and staff from the Brainerd Lakes Area have been involved in the search for Achermann.

The benefit will include a spaghetti buffet which starts at noon. 

Along with the buffet there will be a silent auction, raffles, and games that will be available throughout the afternoon and a live auction will be from 1-4 p.m.

For information on the Benefit, go to www.helpfindpeter.com