Search for missing Mount Allison student suspended

The active search for a missing Mount Allison University student was called off on Thursday morning, but the investigation continues, according to the RCMP.

Meanwhile, the family of Christopher Metallic is offering a $2,000 reward for information that will help find him, according to a new Facebook group called Chris Metallic Please help us bring him home.

Metallic,20, was last seen in Sackville early on Sunday morning, following a party.

RCMP and Tri-County Ground Search and Rescue volunteers had been conducting aerial and ground searches in the town and expanded their search to a wooded area in Upper Sackville on Wednesday.

"We have exhausted that area," said Cpl. Chantal Farrah.

Although somebody had found a pair of shoes there, it's unclear if Metallic had been wearing them, she said.

"Depending on information received or on evidence collected, more searches are possible," said Farrah.

"We are following any tips that come forward," she said.

"We are doing our best to find him."

According to a post on the Facebook site, police were concerned about the largenumber of people who had volunteered for the search.

"Their concerns centre around the possibility that evidence or clues might be contaminated and/or lost by inexperienced and unguided searchers," the post states.

"Therefore Chris' family and the RCMP is asking that the search effort be manned by authorized searchers only.

"Please know that his family is deeply touched by the love and concern expressed by so many."

The Facebook group, created on Tuesday,has more than 1,500 "likes."

A donation website has also been set up for Metallic's parents, who travelled to Sackville from their home in Listuguj First Nation in Quebec to help search for him.

The fundraising goal, to help cover their expenses, is $500.

RCMP have confirmed that Metallic, a third-year student at the university, attended a house party on Allison Street on Saturday night and left without his shoes or his cellphone.

There were unconfirmed reports he was last seen on Sunday at about 3 a.m. at Home Alone Pizza, formerly known as A-1 Pizza, on Main Street.

Police also received information that a person had been seen walking on the Upper Aboujagne Road in Upper Sackville at about 5:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Metallicis described as being aboriginal, six feet tall, 180 pounds, with short dark hair and glasses.

He was last seen wearing a shiny bright blue sweater, jeans and possibly flip flops.