KETCHIKAN — Ketchikan police are looking for three missing people and sending information to the FBI to determine whether any leads need further investigation.
Family members of Roy Victor Banhart, who hasn’t been seen since 2014, have asked investigators to request the FBI’s assistance, the Ketchikan Daily News reported.
The Ketchikan Police Department is also looking for Gary Hamilton, reported missing late in November, and Thomas William Booth, missing since early January.
Chief Alan Bengaard says there is no reason to believe the cases involved criminal acts.
“Our department works quite closely with the FBI and other federal agencies,” Bengaard said. “The FBI comes in and will give us assistance in criminal cases — they deal with terrorism, cyber crimes, things of that nature.”
He said the FBI is not assisting in the missing persons investigations, but reviewing the work that has been done and providing feedback.
“Basically, we’ll compile case reports and forward them to one of their special agents and they’ll take a look at it,” Bengaard said. “If they see anything that’s out of line or needs to be followed up on further, they’ll reply back to us and let us know.”
Bengaard said the department has been following up on any leads in these three active cases.
Deputy Police Chief Josh Dossett says the department plans to send reports on the cases to a Juneau-based FBI agent early next week.
