Nearly a week has passed since friends and family last saw Brad Paullin. The 29 year-old West Des Moines man was last seen Saturday around 7 PM near the 2600 block of Shawnee on Des Moines' north side. Police say Paullin was at a friend's house. Following a disagreement, he left and walked into the wooded area off Shawnee Avenue. He sometimes did that to "cool off," according to friends.
Dozens of volunteers have spent the week searching that area along the Des Moines River. Ryan Jensen, Paullin's friend and roommate, has been directing much of the effort. "It gets a little harder every day," he said Friday. "You'll see something the same color as his blue jeans, and your heart starts racing. This morning we found a black fleece. I knew he was wearing a black fleece. [I] thought we were on to something, but it was too small," he said.
The disappointment is even more overwhelming for Paullin's parents, Loretta and Bob. "It's like he vanished," said Loretta.
Des Moines Police officers are doing a 'grid search,' according to Sgt. Chris Scott. He says they are going through the area where Paullin was last seen methodically based on an aerial photo. Friday volunteers started their search near Euclid and headed south along the river. Officers have also brought several types of dogs to the area hoping one would be able to catch Paullin's scent. "The investigation itself is always going to be open until he's located," said Sgt. Scott. He anticipates officers will complete the grid search Saturday.
Dozens of volunteers have spent the week searching that area along the Des Moines River. Ryan Jensen, Paullin's friend and roommate, has been directing much of the effort. "It gets a little harder every day," he said Friday. "You'll see something the same color as his blue jeans, and your heart starts racing. This morning we found a black fleece. I knew he was wearing a black fleece. [I] thought we were on to something, but it was too small," he said.
The disappointment is even more overwhelming for Paullin's parents, Loretta and Bob. "It's like he vanished," said Loretta.
Des Moines Police officers are doing a 'grid search,' according to Sgt. Chris Scott. He says they are going through the area where Paullin was last seen methodically based on an aerial photo. Friday volunteers started their search near Euclid and headed south along the river. Officers have also brought several types of dogs to the area hoping one would be able to catch Paullin's scent. "The investigation itself is always going to be open until he's located," said Sgt. Scott. He anticipates officers will complete the grid search Saturday.
