LEVERETT — An extensive search over the past two days for a man reported missing from his Dudleyville Road home was suspended Wednesday afternoon due to the snowstorm.
Leverett Police Chief Scott Minckler said Wednesday that more than 40 individuals assisted with the search for Richard Drury, 69, in the area of Dudleyville Road, between the Moore’s Corner section of Leverett, home to the Leverett Village Co-op, and the Shutesbury town line. That search included sometimes challenging wooded terrian on Drury’s property.
Police officers were assisted by Leverett firefighters, Leverett Highway Department workers, Massachusetts State Police and Environmental Police, as well as the Greenfield fire and police departments. In addition to people searching on foot, the departments have used dogs, all-terrain vehicles, a drone and a helicopter.
Drury is described as a 5-foot-5-inch-tall white man, with thinning white hair and a white mustache and beard.
Minckler said the search began when a neighbor called emergency dispatch about dogs barking at Drury’s property late Monday. State Police officers responded and found the dogs, which appeared to be both hungry and affected by extended exposure to the elements.
When those officers found no one at the residence, though Drury’s vehicle was there, the missing person investigation began.
Minckler said authorities have not been able to contact or identify any relatives of Drury, though have learned that his routines always involved the dogs.
“Our investigation determined that he does everything with the dogs,” Minckler said.
Minckler added that there is no evidence of any foul play in Drury’s disappearance.
Minckler said Drury is believed to be wearing blue jeans and a tan or brown jacket. He has not been seen since a neighbor saw him in his driveway on either Friday or Saturday.
Drury is the former longtime operator of the town’s transfer station.
Anyone with any information about Drury’s whereabouts should call Shelburne Control Dispatch at 413-625-8200.