Help find missing VOC hiker Jim Schwartz
Posted: Oct 24 2011 4:57 pm
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is seeking public assistance to locate a missing 66-year-old man, James Ross Schwartz, who resides in the Village of Oak Creek and recently retired as pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Sedona. Schwartz was last seen at home by his wife on Wednesday, Oct. 19, around 6:30 a.m. He was reported missing just before 10 p.m. that evening.
Family members are monitoring his financial accounts in hopes of catching activity involving Schwartz which could identify his whereabouts. Schwartz did have access to cash which could provide a means of travel from the area. Schwartz had completed some housekeeping and yard clean-up the day of his disappearance, and although despondent, his family does not believe he is suicidal, according to YCSO Public Information Officer Dwight D’Evelyn. Schwartz is 5 feet 8 icnhes tall, 190 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. He is likely wearing a blue T-shirt and grey fleece jacket displaying the name “Sedona” in the upper right corner, short pants and hiking boots. Schwartz may be wearing or carrying a khaki hat with a flashlight on it and in possession of a day pack.
He is a diabetic and reportedly does not have insulin with him. He left behind his wallet, cell phone, car keys and apparently walked away sometime during the day on Oct. 19. His wife confirmed he was home and asleep at 6:30 a.m. when she went to work the morning of Oct. 19. Schwartz is likely despondent due to an argument he had with his wife the evening of Oct. 18, as indicated by a note he left for her, which was found Thursday, Oct. 20, D’Evelyn stated. Schwartz is not known to carrying any weapons.
Coordinated by the YCSO Forest Patrol Unit, deputies directed deployment of four search dogs and helicopter flyovers beginning Friday, Oct. 21. Searchers checked areas around his home, including trails, which were reported commonly used by Schwartz in the past. No additional clues were discovered during the ground and aerial searches. The helicopter service was provided by Guardian Air. Over the weekend, deputies have contacted businesses in the Village of Oak Creek to alert employees and review store video tapes if available. No sightings of Schwartz were reported. Further video reviews are pending. Deputies received calls over the weekend claiming Schwartz was seen in the Prescott area. None of these leads has led to success in finding Schwartz. Also yesterday, deputies initiated a search of the area and followed up on leads but were unable to locate Schwartz. The morning of Friday, Oct. 21, search dogs have been deployed in the area, D’Evelyn stated.
If anyone has information regarding the whereabouts of Schwartz, call YCSO immediately at (928) 771-3260.
Family members are monitoring his financial accounts in hopes of catching activity involving Schwartz which could identify his whereabouts. Schwartz did have access to cash which could provide a means of travel from the area. Schwartz had completed some housekeeping and yard clean-up the day of his disappearance, and although despondent, his family does not believe he is suicidal, according to YCSO Public Information Officer Dwight D’Evelyn. Schwartz is 5 feet 8 icnhes tall, 190 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. He is likely wearing a blue T-shirt and grey fleece jacket displaying the name “Sedona” in the upper right corner, short pants and hiking boots. Schwartz may be wearing or carrying a khaki hat with a flashlight on it and in possession of a day pack.
He is a diabetic and reportedly does not have insulin with him. He left behind his wallet, cell phone, car keys and apparently walked away sometime during the day on Oct. 19. His wife confirmed he was home and asleep at 6:30 a.m. when she went to work the morning of Oct. 19. Schwartz is likely despondent due to an argument he had with his wife the evening of Oct. 18, as indicated by a note he left for her, which was found Thursday, Oct. 20, D’Evelyn stated. Schwartz is not known to carrying any weapons.
Coordinated by the YCSO Forest Patrol Unit, deputies directed deployment of four search dogs and helicopter flyovers beginning Friday, Oct. 21. Searchers checked areas around his home, including trails, which were reported commonly used by Schwartz in the past. No additional clues were discovered during the ground and aerial searches. The helicopter service was provided by Guardian Air. Over the weekend, deputies have contacted businesses in the Village of Oak Creek to alert employees and review store video tapes if available. No sightings of Schwartz were reported. Further video reviews are pending. Deputies received calls over the weekend claiming Schwartz was seen in the Prescott area. None of these leads has led to success in finding Schwartz. Also yesterday, deputies initiated a search of the area and followed up on leads but were unable to locate Schwartz. The morning of Friday, Oct. 21, search dogs have been deployed in the area, D’Evelyn stated.
If anyone has information regarding the whereabouts of Schwartz, call YCSO immediately at (928) 771-3260.