Escondido police are not giving up the search for a missing man whose truck was found without him more than a week ago.
About 34 officers and deputies with San Diego County Sheriff's Department Search and Rescue team on Tuesday morning went back to the last known location of 54-year-old William Purper in the hopes they can locate the reported missing person. Two K-9s were also in tow.
Purper was last seen on April 8, at around 1 p.m. in the 24000 block of Abalar Way in the San Diego Country Estates, EPD said. He was reported missing later that day.
On Tuesday, April 9, at around 2:40 a.m. EPD located Purper's truck parked at 18379 San Pasqual Valley Road at the Clevenger Canyon North Trail entrance. His cell phone and wallet were left in the vehicle.
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"We conducted an investigation and it appears William is what we consider a voluntary missing person, that he chose to go missing from this location," Hicks said. "Although it's frustrating for us at this point that we haven't been able to find him and get some closure for the family, this terrain is treacherous."
EPD and SDSO have used air support, drones and more to locate Purper, but he has, so far, not been located. SDSO has a detailed map that shows rescue crews where they've already searched, ensuring they're searching new areas each time. Hicks said if Purper is not located Tuesday, they will re-evaluate their efforts.
Purper is described as 6'1", 220 pounds with gray hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, white sunglasses and blue basketball shorts.
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They said anyone who may have seen Purper on Monday, April 8, either him or his truck, could aid their search, especially if they saw him on the trail.
Anyone with information about the incident was asked to call Sgt. Todd Gimenez at (760) 839-4914 or the non-emergency line at (760) 839-4722 and reference case 24003231.
