73-year-old hiker missing
Joseph Crawley was last seen around 3:30 p.m. Saturday
By Scott Brand

PARADISE - A large search is currently underway in the Paradise area with authorities seeking to locate a missing hiker.

Joseph Robert Crawley, 73, is described as 5'10" and weighing approximately 150 pounds. He was last seen around 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Paradise area where he was believed to be heading out for a hike in the vicinity of the North Country Trail. Crawley was accompanied by a black and white dog, Chip, who is believed to be a Lab/Chow mix.

Chippewa County Sheriff deputies were notified that Crawley had failed to return from his hike around 10:30 p.m. Monday. Dozens of searchers have been on the ground from the Emergency Response Team, Search and Rescue, various law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, but despite a full day of searching on Tuesday no trace of the missing hiker has been found.

Chippewa County Sheriff Jeff Moran said the discovery of the man's vehicle near the North Country Trail has helped narrow the scope of the search. Crawley is believed to be quite familiar with the area and has hiked through it many times. From all indications, was not planning to spend the night in the woods and authorities do not believe he had camping equipment or provisions upon his departure.

Moran said the wooded terrain and associated cover hampered efforts to locate any sign of Crawley from the air. The Bay Mills Police Department and the Michigan State Police are contributing canine units to assist in the search.

Moran added that authorities have spoken to family members and plan to send a team into a specific area where Crawley was known to have hiked, today.

Crawley has a number of health problems which may have contributed to his disappearance, according to those familiar with the search effort.

Anyone who saw a man matching Crawley's description in the Paradise area since 3:30 p.m. Saturday is asked to contact the Chippewa County Sheriff Department at (906) 635-6355 or Chippewa County Central Dispatch on their non-emergency number at (906) 495-3312.

 

Joseph Robert Clewley was last seen was this past Saturday.

PARADISE -- Authorities are continuing to search for a missing hiker in the Paradise area.

Police say the last time 73-year-old Joseph Robert Clewley was seen was this past Saturday. Clewely was believed to be taking a walk with his dog on the North Country Trial.

Police say the subject has had heart problems.

He's described as 5'10", 150 pounds, with brownish-gray hair.

His dog, Chip, is a black and white lab-chow mix.

Crews have been searching since Monday, with no luck.

Anyone who may have seen him is asked to call the Chippewa County Sheriff Department at (906) 635-6355

 

Missing Hiker in Paradise

A massive search effort continues near Paradise in Chippewa County for 73-year-old Joseph Clewley.

Clewley hasn't been heard from since Saturday. Teams are searching the area around Tahqua Trail where they found his van.

Clewley is a frequent hiker and his family says he knows the area like the back of his hand.

Little clues are turning up and Clewley's family hopes somebody else knows something.

9&10's Christina Vecchioni and photojournalist Aaron Smith have more as the search continues.

 

Hiker Missing in Chippewa County

A massive search is underway in the Upper Peninsula for a missing Roscommon County man.

Joseph Clewley went hiking Saturday on the Ontakway Trail near Paradise and hasn't been seen since.

Clewley is from Roscommon. He is 73 years-old and had his dog Chip with him when he left.

Right now dozens of searchers are out looking for him.

If you have any information, you're asked to contact the Chippewa County Sheriff's Department.

We have a crew headed to the Upper Peninsula right now, and will bring you continuing coverage of this story tonight on 9 & 10 News.

 

Chippewa County Missing man and dog

A search is underway for a Joseph Clewley who went missing in Chippewa County over the weekend with his dog.

73-year-old Joseph Clewley of the Paradise area was out hiking with his dog, Chip, on Saturday. He is believed to have last been seen near the entrance to the North Country Pathway on the Tahqua Trail. Crawley is described as 5'10'' and weighing about 150 pounds. If you have any information please call the Chippewa County Sheriffs Office at (906) 635-6355 or the State Police.

 

Hiker Missing in Chippewa County

A massive search is underway in the Upper Peninsula for a missing Roscommon County man.

Joseph Clewley went hiking Saturday on the Ontakway Trail near Paradise and hasn't been seen since.

Clewley is from Roscommon. He is 73 years-old and had his dog Chip with him when he left.

Right now dozens of searchers are out looking for him.

If you have any information, you're asked to contact the Chippewa County Sheriff's Department.

We have a crew headed to the Upper Peninsula right now, and will bring you continuing coverage of this story tonight on Fox 33 News.

 

Clewley search temporarily suspended

The search for a Chippewa County man who went missing while walking his dog has been temporarily suspended.

73-year-old Joseph Clewley of Paradise disappeared near the North Country Pathway on the Tahqua Trail south of Paradise.

The Chippewa County Sheriff's Office says that a 4 day search involving 36 members of the Michigan Department of Corrections Emergency Response Team, State Police K-9's, area police, the US Coast Guard, the DNR and the Michigan State Police failed to locate Clewley.

 

Search ends for Michigan man

Police suspended the ground search Friday for a man missing south of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. for one week.

Joe Clewley, 73, parked his vehicle at the trailhead of the North Country Pathway on the Tahqua Trail south of Paradise, Mich. on July 12. He was walking his dog, a white-coloured crow mix.

A four-day search included the participation of the Michigan Department of Corrections, Michigan State Police and Bay Mills police and the United States Coast Guard.

Nothing was found related to Clewley's disappearance, a release from Chippewa County Sheriff's Office said.

Clewley lives in the Paradise area six to eight months of the year, said Undersheriff Robert Savoie.

His permanent home is in the Higgins Lake, Mich. area

 

Ground search ends for missing man

Police suspended the ground search Friday for a man missing for a week south of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Joe Clewley, 73, parked his vehicle at the trailhead of the North Country Pathway on the Tahqua Trail south of Paradise, Mich. on July 12.

He was walking his dog, a white, mixed breed. A four-day search included the participation of the Michigan Department of Corrections, Michigan State Police and Bay Mills police and the United States Coast Guard.

Nothing was found related to Clewley's disappearance, a release from Chippewa County Sheriff's Office said. Clewley lives in the Paradise area six to eight months of the year, said Undersheriff Robert Savoie.

His permanent home is in the Higgins Lake, Mich. area.

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Missing hiker still missing

Crews may call off the search for 73-year-old Joseph Robert Clewley.

PARADISE -- There was still no sign of 73-year-old Joseph Robert Clewley on Wednesday according to the Chippewa County Sheriff's Department.

Cadaver dogs from Detroit have been combing the area for the last three days with no success in finding the missing hiker.

The sheriff's department said they would call off the search Wednesday night if no new clues were found.

However, family members and volunteers will still continue searching.

 

Search continues for missing hiker: Authorities comb national forest, Tahquamenon River for Joseph Clewley

By SCOTT BRAND/The Evening News

WHITEFISH POINT - "We are doing all we can," said Det. Sgt. Mike Bitnar of the Chippewa County Sheriff Department as the search continues for 73-year-old Joseph Robert Clewley in the rugged backcounty along the Tahquamenon River.

When he was first reported missing, Chippewa County Sheriff deputies were joined by Michigan State Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and dozens of volunteers from the Michigan Department of Corrections Emergency Response Team with teams combing the North Country Pathway after Clewley's vehicle was found parked along the Tahqua Trail.

"It was an extensive search; a huge search," said Bitnar adding that in addition to the ground forces, there were various K-9 Units, helicopters and airplanes assigned to the area. With no evidence found during the initial foray, many of the volunteers and law enforcement personnel were eventually sent home. "They can only be there for so long."

Bitnar explained that in the first few days, a large contingent of prison employees would search all day before heading in to work the night shift.

"Those guys were really wonderful," said Bitnar.

Despite all those efforts, however, the search did little more than reveal where Clewley was not. A topographical map, complete with red lines detailing the GPS coordinates of the search team, reveals that virtually everything within the immediate area has been covered, leaving Bitnar at a loss to explain the disappearance.

"I don't know why we can't find him, I really don't," he said.

Clewley had been hiking the trails of Whitefish Point for many years, seeking solitude on hidden beaver ponds sprinkled amidst the vast acres of national forest. When he was younger, he used to hike from his cabin up to the Lower Tahquamenon Falls, but recent health issues had slowed the Roscommon man down. He still ventured often into the woods; the hikes were just shorter.

According to Bitnar, there was absolutely no evidence of foul play or abduction. Clewley left his reading glasses and wallet back at the cabin in their regular spots for safe keeping before heading out. A water bottle to provide the man and his canine companion with a drink upon their return was left in the vehicle and there were no signs of a struggle in the sands of the parking lot.

"We have truly had a lot of smart people working this case and nothing makes sense," said Bitnar. "He just disappeared."

The search has gone up and down the many miles of the Tahquamenon River. Cadaver dogs were brought in from downstate, trained to detect the odor of a dead body, just in case something was missed. Again, the results were the same.

"There's no evidence of anything other than he is gone," said Bitnar who admits he is running out of ideas on where to look.

Bitnar now believes it is possible that Clewley may have ventured well beyond the initial search area. It's possible that Clewley may have hitched a ride with somebody to get away from the trailhead, planning to work his way back. It is also possible, Bitnar adds, that Clewley may have become disoriented - venturing well away from the parking site.

Still, Bitnar thinks the dog should have provided some sort of clue. He continues to check with local animal shelters, seeking the lab/chow mix which accompanied Clewley, on his hike to no avail.

The toughest part, Bitnar admits, is facing Clewley's family with the same news each day.

"The hardest part for the family at this point is that they do not know what has happened to their loved one," said Bitnar, characterizing them as a nice, loving family that deserves closure.

If you have any information regarding Clewley's whereabouts - and Bitnar speculates it's possible someone may have picked him up to deliver him to another hiking location - or have seen a stray dog in the area contact the Chippewa county Sheriff Department at (906) 635-6355.

 

Clewley search update

There is still no sign of a missing 73-year-old man and his dog.

The Chippewa County Sheriff's Department says they have found no evidence suggesting the whereabouts of Joseph Clewley or his dog Chip. Clewley was last seen almost a week ago hiking near Paradise.

Cadaver dogs from Detroit were brought in to aid searchers, but since no new clues have been found officials are calling off the search. However, family members and volunteers say they will continue looking.

Clewley is described as 5'10'' and weighing about 150 pounds. Clewley also has ties to Roscommon County with a home on Higgins Lake.

 

Chippewa Co-Missing Hiker Search

The Search Continues In The Upper Peninsula's Chippewa County For An Elderly Hiker Who Has Been Missing For Two Weeks.

Authorities Say 73-Year Old Joseph Clewley Of Roscommon Was Last Seen June 12th In The Paradise Area Where He Was Believed To Be Heading Out For A Hike In The Vicinity Of The North Country Trail Along The Tahquamenon River.

He Was Accompanied By His Black And White Dog, Believed To Be A Lab/Chow Mix, That Answers To The Name Of "Chip."

A Massive Air And Ground Search Was Launched After Sheriff Deputies Were Notified That Clewley Had Failed To Return From His Hike But The Only Thing They Found Was His Vehicle Parked Along The Tahqua Trail.

Cadaver Dogs Trained To Detect The Odor Of A Dead Body Were Even Brought In But With No Results.

Detectives Believe Virtually Everything Within The Immediate Area Has Been Covered And Are At A Loss To Explain Clewley's Disappearance.

He's Described As 5'10 And Weighing Approximately 150 Pounds.

Anyone With Information Is Asked To Contact The Chippewa County Sheriff's Department.

 

Higgins Lake man has been missing in U.P. since July 12

A 73-year-old Higgins Lake man who apparently went hiking near his cabin on the Tahquamenon River in the Upper Peninsula July 12 has not been seen since.

Joseph Robert Clewley had been experiencing some shortterm memory problems, but nothing to indicate he would become disoriented, according to his daughters, Teresa Clewley of Three Rivers and Jamie Anderson of Alabama. Joseph Clewley's Labchow dog, "Chip," also is missing, they said.

According to the Evening News of Sault Ste. Marie, a search by Chippewa County Sheriff's deputies, State Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Natural Resources and volunteers from the Michigan Department of Corrections Emergency Response Team turned up no sign of Clewley. Helicopters, K-9 units and airplanes were used in the initial search which began after Clewley's vehicle was found parked near the North Country Pathway. Cadaver dogs later were used in the search, but no sign of Clewley or "Chip" has been found.

Anyone with information on Clewley's whereabouts is being asked to call the Chippewa County Sheriff's Department at (906) 635-6355.

 

Update in Search for Missing Hiker in Chippewa County

73-year-old Joe Clewley and his dog, Chip, went missing nearly three weeks ago near the North Country Trail in Chippewa County.

After an extensive search police came up with little clues about where Clewley and Chip may be.

Early Friday morning family members found a thin, Chip sitting on the porch of the family's cabin.

There is still no sign of Clewley.

 

Update in Search for Missing Hiker in Chippewa County

73-year-old Joe Clewley and his dog, Chip, went missing nearly three weeks ago near the North Country Trail in Chippewa County.

After an extensive search police came up with little clues about where Clewley and Chip may be.

Early Friday morning family members found a thin, Chip sitting on the porch of the family's cabin.

There is still no sign of Clewley.

 

Search goes on for missing man

SAULT STE. MARIE - Chippewa County Sheriff's deputies are still searching for a 73-year-old man missing in a remote area of Whitefish Township missing since July 12.

Deputies said that Joe Clewley parked his vehicle at the trailhead of the North Country Pathway, located along the Tahqua Trail, south of Paradise to walk his dog.

A four-day search involving three dozen members of the Michigan Department of Corrections Emergency Response Team, K-9 dogs from the Michigan State Police and Bay Mills Police, U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, failed to locate any evidence related to his disappearance.

In addition, sheriff deputies on foot, off-road vehicles and boats searched the Tahquamenon River area without success. Clewley's dog was found alive last week, after spending numerous days in the woods.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Clewley is asked to call the Chippewa County Sheriff's Department at 635-6355.

 

Search resumes for lost 73-year-old

By SCOTT BRAND/The Soo Evening News

PARADISE - Believing they have new leads in the disappearance of a Roscommon man, the Chippewa County Sheriff Department has invited a team of trained volunteers and five canine cadaver units to join them this weekend focusing their efforts between the North Country Trail and M-123.

The search for 73-year-old Joseph Robert Clewley started in mid-July after the hiker, accompanied by his dog, failed to return from a day-trip.

The man's vehicle was found parked along the Tahqua Trail, prompting a massive search and rescue effort involving Chippewa County Sheriff deputies, Michigan State Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Department of Corrections Emergency Response Team. Despite all their efforts, however, no evidence of Clewley was found.

It was nearly three weeks later before authorities found any evidence of the pair when Clewley's dog returned to the family cabin, a little thinner, but otherwise in good health.

"It hasn't really stopped," said Det. Sgt. Mike Bitnar describing the recovery effort over the last three months. In addition to the volunteers who have scoured the rugged backcountry, Bitnar said Clewley's family has spent a lot of time looking as well. "They've been up here - if not every weekend, every other weekend. They have put hundreds of miles in, they have just walked and walked and walked."

All this search has recently provided authorities with another lead. Bitnar was reluctant to specify what exactly has been recovered carefully choosing his words to say "the items are believed to be related to the disappearance of Mr. Clewley."

Bitnar said he wanted to get the word out to hunters that there will be dogs running loose in the search area this weekend as Michigan Search and Rescue scours the new potential site searching for the remains of Mr. Clewley.

"The dogs are trained to be loose, but they don't take off," said Bitnar. Volunteer groups will be accompanying the canine dogs throughout the weekend in the specified area.

While there is no solid evidence that the recovery effort will meet with success this weekend, Bitnar expressed some optimism.

"I'm pretty certain we have narrowed (the search area) down quite a bit," he concluded.

 

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Search and Rescue team doesn't give up.

By Natalie Zimmermann

TAHQUA TRAIL -- To look at her, the Doberman-Labrador mix would remind you of nothing more than man's best friend as she playfully frolicked around, enjoying the autumn day. In reality, however, she has a very important job--she's part of the Michigan Search and Rescue Team, and her training gives her the ability to save lives.

She and her team were on the Tahqua Trail Road on Saturday to see if they could find any trace of Joseph Clewley, a man who went missing in the area in July.

Composed of 25 people and 15 dogs from downstate, the team travels all over Michigan working to find missing people. It's a full-time job, but it's even more impressive when you consider that they do it all for free.

"We're out here because we have the opportunity to do something nobody else can do and be of great benefit to somebody who finds themselves in a really, really horrible situation," said Dave Holcomb, one of the team's members.

And it's more than a game of fetch. Handlers take the dogs to where the missing person was last seen and their training prompts them to scent out any human in the vicinity. It's a talent that takes a lot of time and patience on the part of the trainers, who work with the dogs from the time they're puppies until they're between one to two years old. At that point, they are certified as rescue dogs and allowed to go into the field.

The idea is to train the animals to react instinctively when given a command.

"When they find what they're looking for, they'll come back and give us what's called a trained indication," Holcomb said.

The indication is usually a bark, which means that the dog has located someone. From there, the animal will make rounds between its team and what it's found until the team reaches the site. The dogs are trained to find any human--living or deceased.

Saturday was the second time the Michigan Search and Rescue Team had made their way up here at their own expense to look for any signs of Clewley, which just goes to show how dedicated they are to their job.

 

Headline: Where is Joseph Clewley?

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Copyright © 2009 by Michael A. Neiger

Web site design and hosting courtesy of Michigan Backcountry Search and Rescue (MiBSAR) of Marquette, Michigan Last modified on July 4, 2010 11:13