UNH student Alexis Garcia still missing after ‘recovery’ search

DURHAM — Authorities searched local waters Tuesday for Alexis Garcia, a missing University of New Hampshire student, as the investigation into his disappearance enters its fifth month. He was not found.

A low-flying New Hampshire State Police helicopter checked the Bellamy River, Great Bay and Piscataqua River shorelines Tuesday morning, assisting Durham police with their investigation. Garcia, 24, was last seen by friends Nov. 21, and his vehicle was later found unoccupied at the Scammell Bridge rest area off Route 4, according to Durham police.

Authorities believe Garcia to be deceased and the search is considered a recovery effort, according to Deputy Chief David Holmstock of the Durham Police Department.

“We’ve worked hand in hand with multiple agencies in tracking down every possible avenue for this investigation,” he said Tuesday. “The outside agencies (and) mutual aid agencies have (helped us) form the conclusion that it would be a recovery effort at best at this point. Just to even find something (that) can help bring closure to the family.”

No new leads have been reported to police regarding Garcia’s disappearance. Tuesday’s helicopter search was timed to coincide with low tides. Foul play is not suspected in Garcia’s disappearance, Holmstock said.

Police have conducted a roughly 30-square-mile search of the local coastline, according to Durham police detective Sgt. John Lavoie.

A state police helicopter was previously sent out to search for the missing student. Holmstock noted police drones and state Fish and Game sonar technology have been deployed, too.

“We have searched using multiple methods. The tide was so extremely low over the past few days that it was an opportunity to conduct a search with the helicopter, although the winds made it very challenging today,” Holmstock said. “Because the tide is so low it was a very good opportunity to possibly spot something we had not been able to before.”

Durham police conducted a welfare check on Garcia less than a week before his disappearance. Garcia, an Illinois native, is believed to have been wearing white sneakers, dark colored pants and a plaid button-up shirt over a gray or light-colored hooded sweatshirt prior to disappearing, police said previously.

He was described by police as 5 feet 9 inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes. Garcia has ties to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force ROTC.

Members of the public with information about Garcia’s disappearance are asked to contact Durham police directly through email at detective@ci.durham.nh.us. Anonymous tips are also accepted through Seacoast Crime Stoppers at 603-431-1199 or at seacoastcrimestoppers.com.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: UNH student Alexis Garcia still missing after ‘recovery’ search