Family, friends, students and complete strangers came together on the weekend to search for a Winnipeg teacher who disappeared last week.
Kevin Dilk, who is 50, was last seen leaving his home on foot in the city's St. Boniface neighbourhood early Wednesday morning.
A search for him expanded from posters to two ground searches on Sunday involving about 300 people who scoured local creeks and the banks of the Red River.
They were joined by members of the volunteer safety group, Bear Clan Patrol.
Police have said Dilk left home without taking essential items with him, including what they believe were his wallet and cellphone.
Relatives say it's not unusual for him to leave early for a walk, or even to walk to work at Collège Béliveau where he teaches French.
Searchers in groups of 10 combed parks and rail lines, while others were dispatched to other neighbourhoods in vehicles.
Many of the people have a personal connection to Dilk, including Jeff Anderson, who worked with the missing man for three years. He drove from St. Aldophe, south of Winnipeg, with his 12-year-old son to take part in the search.
"Great man, great teacher, very well respected," said Anderson.
Sandra Chapman, Dilk's first cousin, flew from Kelowna, British Columbia and helped with the search.
"I wasn't sleeping at home, and I was so worried and I knew the only thing to do was to be here," she said.
Susan Scott, another cousin, said Dilk had been making plans for gift exchanges for Christmas earlier this week. Scott said she knows as more time passes, the more difficult the situation becomes, but the family still has hope.
"They are doing as you would expect. They are devastated. They are exhausted, overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by the support, but they are hanging in there."
Marion Willis, executive director of St. Boniface Street Links, an organization that works to prevent crime and help the homeless, said she was contacted by Dilk's family about organizing a co-ordinated search.
"I think there is concern. I think there is a real sense of mystery around this," said Willis. "This is a fellow who put on his boots and jacket and disappeared into thin air. That's what it looks like."
Willis compared Dilk's disappearance to the case of Thelma Krull, a Winnipeg woman who mysteriously disappeared in the summer of 2015 and hasn't been seen since.
"She got dressed, went out for a walk, and we are still looking for her."
Any items found by searchers were to be gathered by volunteers and used to determine where to look next.
Dilk's niece, Ginger Dilk, has been begging anyone with answers to her uncle's whereabouts to come forward.
"Please come home! If anyone knows anything, please tell us. This is a nightmare and we just want him home," she said. (CJOB, CTV Winnipeg)
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