Search for missing Natuashish teen scaled back

RCMP officials said Wednesday afternoon that the search for 17-year-old Kirby Mistenapeo, missing for more than a week, is being scaled back.

Police said they made the decision after consultation with Mistenapeo's family, the Natuashish Band Chief and the Innu Nation.

An extensive air and ground search had been ongoing since Mistenapeo went missing on April 21. 

Natuashish Chief Greg Rich announced earlier on Wednesday that searchers have concluded that the teenager is nowhere in the community.

As the search entered Day 7, Rich said every building in Natuashish had been checked, and the hunt for Mistenapeo will now focus on areas outside the town.

"It's been very exhausting and draining, for the search and rescue and also the community members," said Rich. 

The chief said he's been talking to Mistenapeo's family.

"They're very tired and they're very concerned, and very — I don't know how to describe it but very sad — wanting Kirby to come home."

Rich said Mistenapeo was last seen outside of Natuashish, in an area where gatherings are held, but they don't know what he was doing there.

Poor weather has complicated the search, with snowfall covering any tracks Mistenapeo may have left. 

The search on Wednesday had focused on areas two-to-three kilometers away from the community.