Weeks later, few clues of missing Timothy Metcalf

ASHLAND — More than three weeks have passed since Timothy Metcalf, 74, walked out of his home on the north side of Ashland, leaving behind his cell phone and his wallet.

He was reported missing the next day, and local police have used drones, dogs, ATVs, a plane and a dive team to search for him. Yet no evidence of Metcalf has been found, according to a recent post on the Ashland Police Division Facebook page.

Police initially thought he was traveling northwest from his home, but a search near the 1600 block of Cottage Street turned up nothing. Now, Metcalf’s family said in a statement, they believe he followed the train tracks west out of city limits.

A coalition of local law enforcement that includes the Ashland Police Division and the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office has searched almost the entirety of a 0.3-mile radius around Metcalf’s last known location, and around half of the land in a 0.9-mile radius.

But the vast majority of the land in an 8.1-mile radius, where 95 percent of missing people who leave on foot are found, according to the Ashland Police Division, has not been searched.

“That’s a lot of ground to cover. This is where we still need your help,” the post said.

According to the Ashland Police Division, residents in the 8.1-mile radius — which takes up a large chunk of Ashland County and includes the edge of Richland County — should check their outbuildings and keep their eyes open for signs of Metcalf, who was last seen wearing a navy blue coat and blue jeans.

Metcalf’s family, who are “still desperately trying to find our Dad, Husband, and Grandfather” also urged anyone who lives on the west side of Ashland and beyond to walk their properties or allow the family to do so.  

“Thank you, and please continue praying for him and our family. We are forever grateful for your help,” the family said in a statement.