When Trina Wiater heard news Thursday that a body was found in a local creek, she panicked.
“I had a breakdown,” Wiater said.
She thought authorities might have found her son, Sam Wiater, 21, who she reported missing almost a month ago.
Instead, authorities told her that the body they found was not her son.
“I just want this nightmare to be over,” she said.
The body of a young male, identified by officials at the scene to be in his 20s, was found in a creek near Dow Lake off U.S. Route 50. Authorities have confirmed that it was not Sam Wiater.
With no indication that her son is dead, Trina said Sam’s family is intensifying its search for Sam, who first was reported missing March 13.
Trina said in a news release that the family is calling on Athens residents and the student body of Ohio University to help in distributing updated flyers this weekend. Also, she asked for people to join the newly created Facebook page for Sam.
The family has also asked those supporters to consider donating toward hiring a private investigator in the hopes of uncovering Sam’s whereabouts.
Sam is described as a white male, 6’1” tall and approximately 175 lbs. He is thin with long reddish brown hair and hazel/green eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, black tennis shoes and a blue Baja hoodie.
He was reported missing near the bike path on Currier Street. He abandoned his car and took off on foot at approximately 8:30 p.m. on March 13. According to Athens police, there are no substantial clues, and there was no trace of him in the river after two extensive searches, according to the release.
“Time causes people’s memories to fade and we must remind the public that we are still actively searching for him,” Athens Police Lt. Jeff McCall said. “The more the public remains engaged and vigilant, our chances of locating Mr. Wiater vastly improve.”
She went to visit with Athens Police officials earlier this week to get an update on their investigation.
“If there is a crime committed, it is their job to uncover the crime,” Trina said. “The problem is that if Sam is in hiding by chance, then that’s not a crime. Their priority is to figure out whether or not a crime was committed. And it makes it very difficult because my goal is to find my son period.”
The only places Sam went to regularly were in Athens and in Pickerington near Columbus, where the family had also resided, Trina said. There hasn’t been a search in Pickerington because his car was abandoned at the Hocking River, and he would have had no means of transportation unless he hitched a ride.
In addition, no one has come forward with any tips on Sam’s whereabouts.
“Nothing, there has been absolutely nothing found, and that’s what’s been really odd,” Trina said. “The police have tried to track his bank activity, and there hasn’t been any ATM activity. He hasn’t cashed the checks that were given to him for his birthday, which was two days before his disappearance. It’s all very concerning.”
On Saturday, new laminated posters will be hung around Athens to help regenerate efforts to find Sam. Volunteers are assembling at 2 p.m. in the rear parking lot of the Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 64 University Terrace.
In addition, Avalanche Pizza, Sam’s employer at the time of his disappearance, has also agreed to put missing-person flyers on all their large, to-go boxes.
“We are requesting and encouraging the assistance of other local businesses as well; we want everyone to see Sam’s face,” said Jeff Wiater, Sam’s father. “Sam is not in any trouble at all. We just want our son back and we need everyone’s help in finding him.”
Anyone with information concerning Sam’s whereabouts is urged to call the Athens Police Department at 740-593-6606.
@AKARL_SMITH
AS299810@OHIOU.EDU
