NORTH Shore Rescue has suspended a search for a missing Vancouver man after an intensive operation early this week turned up no clues as to his whereabouts.
Brian Safari Mbaruk, 21, disappeared from his home just after breakfast Nov. 18.
An avid hiker, Mbaruk took a large backpack, boots and other outdoor gear with him, leading friends to suspect he had headed to one of his favoured hiking trails near Lynn Creek or Deep Cove.
He hasn't made contact with family or accessed his bank account since - behaviour which is out of character, according to investigators.
Vancouver police reported the disappearance to North Shore Rescue Tuesday, prompting the volunteer organization to launch a fullscale search involving more than 20 of its members as well as RCMP, parks staff, helicopters and teams from other agencies.
After 14 hours with no sign of the missing man, they called off the effort.
"We just don't have any more information to go on," said Tim Jones, team leader with North Shore Rescue.
Investigators are now turning to the public for help.
Mbaruk is black, 21 years old, six feet three inches tall and 170 pounds with short curly black hair and a brown beard. Police say he may be wearing a grey Obey baseball cap, a dark blue jacket, brown work boots and a large backpack.
