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MILLCREEK — The family of a missing Millcreek man expressed overwhelming gratitude for police and volunteers who helped search for him over the weekend.
Nearly 2,000 people showed up to help look for Fritz Helland. Along with police, they covered a lot of ground, searching a 17 square mile area in Millcreek. But despite all their efforts, there's still no sign of him.
"If he knew this was going on, he'd be very embarrassed," said son Jacob Helland. He said his father is gentle and shy, but that doesn't help explain his disappearance.
"I don't know. I guess you just have to leave the possibilities of anything," Helland said.
It's been five days, and there's still no sign of his 80-year-old father.
![Fritz Helland's son Jacob ]Helland. While there is no longer a formal search for for the senior Helland, police and family are asking everyone to look around their homes, sheds and trailers in case he sought shelter.](https://img.ksl.com/slc/2502/250278/25027885.jpg?filter=kslv2/inline_sm)
"It's really moving to see that kind of support and those who couldn't come, their prayers and their thoughts, we felt that support," Helland said.
Last Wednesday, Helland left his home in the Millcreek area for an hour-long walk with his dog Odin, his companion for the past 16 years. They take the same route every day. At 3 o'clock, Helland called his daughter to say he was close to home. No one has seen him since.
The family says Helland has been coping with the loss of his wife a year ago, but he isn't depressed. He does have some issues with his short-term memory. "But he's coherent, he carries on conversation," Helland said. "He even talked about current events."
Police say, the circumstances are unusual. In other cases like this, the missing person has turned up within a short amount of time. They say Helland may not be in the area anymore. He could have also wandered and gotten hurt.
"There's walking trails, there are waterways, there are some ravines," said Lt. Justin Hoyal. "We even searched up through Millcreek Canyon, which is an area that he frequented."
With each passing day, Helland's family remains hopeful. But they just want answers.
"We're prepared. No matter what the outcome might be, we'd just like to find him," Helland said.
There is no longer an organized search effort for Helland. His family and police are just asking everyone to look around their homes, sheds and trailers in case Helland sought shelter.
