DE SOTO, Kan. — Nearly 200 people turned out Saturday in De Soto to join in the sixth day of the search for 22-year-old Brad Cook.
Cook’s family set up their command post outside of CR Cyle Tires where Cook’s motorcycle was found abandoned early Monday morning.
One of the search participants is Cook’s close friend Emily Zahner. She spent Saturday in woods that she didn’t know even existed until now while she searched for any sign of Cook.
“It’s a lot to take in, you don’t think your first high school reunion is going to be searching for one of your friends,” she said. “Of course you try to think positive, but it’s a lot to take in. It’s kind of hard to process emotions right now, to figure out which way could he have gone.”
No one has seen or heard from Cook since late Sunday night. His family’s asking anyone and everyone to join in the search.
“It’s just amazing to see the people turning out. We’ve seen friends of my son we didn’t know he had from where he used to work and went to school with, and friends of friends of friends are turning. I cant believe just under 200 people have shown up,” said Cook’s father, Jeff.
They mapped out the search areas and sent people out. Some, like Zahner, searched on foot, while others are driving to areas farther out.
“They’re hitting all the various bars and grills from here to Lawrence to Tonganoxie to Kansas City, Missouri and back,” said Jeff.
For Zahner, this is the third day participating in the search. She said she has no plans to stop anytime soon, but at some point, she’ll have to accept reality.
“When it hits a certain point you have to move on with your life and try to get things back to normal,” she said.
Cook’s father knows his son is out there somewhere and pleaded for his safe return.
“Brad, if youre out there, please come home. If something has happened or you’ve gotten yourself into trouble, we’re here to help you, we’ll get you out of it,” he said.
For anyone who wants more information on the search and how to help, follow the link to go to the family’s Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/BringBradHome
