The family of 80-year-old Marcel Maltais, who went missing in the Laurentides Wildlife Sanctuary, has been oscillating between hope and worry for nearly two weeks.
• Read more: Eighteen people have been missing for over a week
The man, from Saint-Raymond in Portneuf, was last seen on October 6 in Hébertville, Saguenay-Lac-Jean. The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) is still continuing its search to find him.
“He has been going to the same place with his relatives for 20 years. It takes three weeks to a month. “He said he was coming back because he was worried about his mother, who was awaiting surgery,” explained Chantal Maltese, the daughter of the deceased.
The octogenarian, who had no telephone, had not given any sign of life for a very long time. Even his vehicle was never found.
The hunter is independent and resourceful, but despite half a century of experience in the jungle, time begins to work against him.
A backup helicopter
The man has not done any banking transactions and his relatives have reason to fear for his safety. km About 30 police officers and hunters participated Monday in a manhunt on foot and mountain bike near Route 169 at Interstate 50.
The SQ is concentrated in the Gîte du Berger area and intercepts all hunters roaming this very busy area. A Canadian Armed Forces helicopter also arrived as reinforcements.
“We are in a vacuum. Not knowing is cruel. Is he in pain? If he had had an accident, we would have known. I continue to believe that. I want it to end well,” her daughter said.
Important details
According to the report, Mr. Maltese was traveling in a blue 2002 Chevrolet S-10 registered in Quebec. Plus, it can tow a blue 2016 Polaris Sport ATV.
He wore a black hat with red lettering, a black and blue checkered coat, blue “Big Bill” pants and gray sneakers. A 5 ft 4 in, 145 lb man wears prescription glasses. He has brown eyes and white hair around his ears.
– With Jean-Francois Racine
“Music geek. Coffee lover. Devoted food scholar. Web buff. Passionate internet guru.”