Peter Achermann Despite concer ted efforts by a dedicated group of searchers, no one has found any evidence of the missing Leader area man, Peter Achermann.

Cass County sheriff's deputies and family member are continuing their search efforts this week.

How long will they continue searching? "Until we find him," replied Cass County Sheriff Randy Fisher after a conference with family members at the Becker Town Hall Tuesday afternoon.

Achermann has not been seen since he failed to return home Friday, July 24. His car was found in Becker Township the following day, but no other trace of the 82 year old man from Switzerland has been found.

"Absolutely nothing," said Desiree Greenwaldt, one of Peter's daughters, when asked if any trace of her father had been found.

There has been an organized search effort every day since he's been missing, with 100 to 150 people searching the first two days. Since then the volunteers have been fewer, but still close to 50 to 60 people looking for the missing man every day.

Initially, the search area was confined to within a smaller area about a mile square near where Achermann's car was found late Saturday, July 25. Late last week, the search area was expanded to include an area in the center of Becker Township, about three miles wide by approximately three miles north and south.

Lonely trail Peter Achermann's car was found here, hung up in this low spot along a minimum maintenance road. The road was much smoother after 11 days of people searching the area with four-wheelers and other vehicles. To join the search, volunteers are asked to turn north off the Warner Road onto County Road 32, go two miles north and turn onto the gravel road where County Road 32 turns west. (Staples World photo by Tom Crawford) "We've searched this area close to where his car was found at least seven times," Fisher said. The searches have been in multiple directions, sometimes by people walking hand to hand. "We've had 78 different missions, 24 different K-9s. They have all been trained search dogs," Fisher said.

Law enforcement had a meeting on Monday to discuss their efforts. They met Tuesday afternoon with Peter's wife, Delaine, and several of their eight children, all of whom have been searching for their father since the beginning.

"We wanted to share with the family what we have, how the investigation is going. The search will continue and the sheriff's office will be involved," Fisher said.

Fisher said the investigation has involved Peter's activities before he disappeared, and so far they have found no evidence someone else was involved in his disappearance.

"The first thing we found was his car. There was no evidence of any kind of violence in the car. There has been no evidence that someone else drove the car there either. We have to make sure this remains a fact driven investigation," the sheriff said.

The sheriff, who noted his medicine was found in the car, added, "The investigation is open and we have to remain open to the possibility he was not alone."

Fisher and deputies said that anyone with any information should call the Cass County Sheriff's Office. at 1-218-547-1424.

Since Achermann's car was found July 25 on a minimum maintenance road in the woods north of Joe Hasselberg's place, full scale searches have been taking place daily.

Family members said on Tuesday that volunteers are still needed and can come to the search area beginning at 9 a.m. any day. The search headquarters remains just north of Cass County 32, with a sign at the curve. Searchers need to wear heavy clothes and shoes and be prepared for difficult walking.

The volunteer and community turnout has been tremendous, said Desiree Greenwaldt. "People have been so good, it's hard to mention any names because we would miss many." Food, water and

many other things have

been donated, she said. "We were going through 15

loaves of bread a day for sandwiches."

The children of Peter and DeLaine, all from Leader unless otherwise noted, include John, Mike and Marsha Achermann from Montana; Tess Aslagson from Rogers, Michelle DeJarlais, Franz, Desiree and Keith Greenwaldt from Motley, Renee Johnson from Washington state; and Jorg.

DeLyle Johnson, whose land is adjacent to the site where the car was found, said the search parties covered his property and he was impressed that people did not deposit a bit of garbage or leave a trace that they had gone through his pasture or crop land.