The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

July 20, 2012

Search for man to resume Friday

By Tom Davidson Herald Staff Writer

EAST LACKAWANNOCK TOWNSHIP — A week ago, 80-year-old Donald Lee Mariacher left his home about 11:30 a.m. for no apparent reason.

Since then, no trace of the East Lackawannock Township man has been found, even as authorities, family members and search-and-rescue professionals have scoured the area around Mariacher’s home on U.S. Route 19 near Interstate 80.

“It’s been a long, long week,” said the missing man’s son, Michael Mariacher. “I’ve talked to so many people, it’s been kind of overwhelming.”

His father didn’t drive and rarely left the house in recent years. Donald’s wife Esther alerted their son Michael at about 4 p.m. last Friday that his father hadn’t returned.

Since then, authorities including state police and members of East End Fire Department of Mercer have searched the area.

“A large number of agencies have been involved,” said Frank Janetti, Mercer County’s emergency services director.

The official search is set to resume at 9 a.m.. today to go over ground that’s already been covered this week, Janetti said.

“We’re going to start over again and make sure we didn’t miss anything,” Janetti said. “We have very little information to go on.”

Mariacher said his mother is 78 and has failing short-term memory.

They’ve been unable to ascertain why his father left home, Michael said.

He only left the house for doctor’s appointments and rarely spoke to people, he added. “He was mentally really sharp, but physically not in great shape.”

He was last seen walking north on U.S. Route 19, north of Interstate 80, Mariacher said.

Police have said they don’t suspect foul play and have released no new information this week.

“We just haven’t been able to locate him yet,” Janetti said.

The area adjacent to the road has “all different kinds of terrain” and has been “grid searched” to no avail.



Police are asking anyone with information about Donald Mariacher’s whereabouts to call 724-662-6162.

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