By HEATHER PYLES, CJ Staff Writer
Local authorities are using every resource possible in the search for a missing Science Hill man, but so far, nothing has been found that may point to the whereabouts of the 21-year-old.
“We have spent countless hours conducting interviews with friends and co-workers,” said Lt. Brett Whitaker with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, who is involved with the investigation, in an e-mail to the Commonwealth Journal. “So far, we have no new information as to where he may be.”
Jeffrey K. Price II left his workplace at Eagle Hardwood after his shift ended at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9. After not returning home that evening, Price’s concerned family members contacted the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department to report his absence. None of his family has heard from him or seen him after he left work at the above time.
Price reportedly lived at 6955 North U.S. 27 in Science Hill.
That evening, the situation grew more disturbing. Sheriff’s units and the Science Hill Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle fire at 8:40 p.m. Monday, located at West Racetrack Road near the former Outdoorsman Club just north of Somerset.
The vehicle on fire was a 2001 Dodge Dakota pick-up truck, and it was later discovered that it belonged to Price.
Members of the Somerset Fire Invest-igation Team examined the burned vehicle last week, hoping to discovery any clues about Price’s disappearance. So far, nothing has been found.
A search of the area by the sheriff’s department and the Pulaski County Rescue Squad turned up no sign of Price, and on Wednesday search divers with the Pulaski County Rescue Squad combed a pond located near the area where Price’s vehicle was found — but no evidence of Price’s whereabouts were discovered.
“All our detectives have been assigned solely to this investigation from the onset and we will continue to pursue every lead we can get,” Whitaker wrote in the e-mail.
Whitaker also said search dogs have been dispatched to comb any areas where Price may have gone.
At this time, Price is listed as a missing person, but the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and the fact that his vehicle has been found burned is cause for concern, stated the sheriff’s department. Anyone with information about Price’s location or of anyone he may have had contact with after leaving work on Monday is asked to contact the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department at (606) 678-5145.
Price is described as a white male, standing 5-foot-9 and weighing 150 pounds. He has blonde hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a “Tri-City” shirt with a gray thermal undershirt, and brown boots.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing by the Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Division.
