Dad Doesn't Believe Missing US Airman Fell Into Italian Canal

The search has been called off until new information emerges

The father of missing U.S. airman Halex Hale told NBC News Sunday he doesn’t believe the theory that his son was drunk and fell into a canal. 

Lance Hale, Halex’s father, doesn’t accept Italian authorities' theory, saying a fellow airman told him his son left the party without his wallet, keys and cell phone. 

Grigoletto Michele, the national police captain, said Hale — who was assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base north of Venice — was reported missing after leaving a friend’s house on the night of July 2.

More than 200 people scrubbed an area of about 4 square miles but didn’t find Hale or his belongings. Grigoletto said a drunk Hale “fell into one of the nearby canals."

He told NBC News investigators called off the search until new information emerges.

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