Missing UF Student's Family, Not Giving Up
Published September 23rd, 2012
GAINESVILLE - He was last seen between 39th Avenue and 53rd on US-441... Now he is no where to be found. Flyers all around town and the Twitter trend #helpfindchris, weren't enough for the Aguilar family. As the search continues... You could hear canine units bark. This time not only from the Gainesville Police Department but from a non-profit in Orlando. "This search personnel are certified and can conduct searches in both day operations as well as those in the evening," says Joe St. Cyr the spokesperson from the "Search and Rescue of Central Florida."
The team is using live find canines to try and find aguilar. "This is a dog that is certified to pick up the scent of a person that may be alive and that may be missing," he says. The organization also has canines that detect human remains but those are not being used yet.
The exact reason for Aguilar's disappearance has not been confirmed but his dad believes an altercation over a girl, with friend Pedro Bravo may have caused Aguilar to be severely injured and his dad thinks he was then left in this urban area of about 50 acres. Even though Bravo has not been charged by GPD, he is being held for questioning.
Ben Tobias, the spokesperson for GPD says, "Pedro did make some statements, to our investigators during the investigation that he wanted to harm himself and wanted to kill himself. Therefore he was committed under Florida's Baker Act." The Baker Act allows for involuntary examination if the person is mentally ill or shows signs of wanting harm himself or others.
Even though things are still unclear for family and friends, Aguilar's father is sure of one thing, "I am looking for people's heart that can come and help me and looking for somebody that could walk with me, that is the only thing that I ask," he says. They won't give up.
Reporter:
Stephanie Bechara
