Civil Air Patrol Suspends Search For Wettlaufer, Makovicka

Courtesy Antelope County Sheriff

The Civil Air Patrol's search for Cory Wettlaufer and Amanda Makovicka has been suspended.

According to Lt. Col. Dave Halperin, Public Information Officer with the Nebraska Civil Air Patrol, the Civil Air Patrol has suspended its search.

On Saturday, Civil Air Patrol aircraft flew over 25 hours in support of the Antelope County Sheriff’s search for the missing couple.

According to CAP’s Incident Commander Lt. Col. Darrell Nelson, the Aircraft conducted a grid search in an area bounded by O’Neil, Chambers, Orchard and Inman NE.

That's the area Wettlaufer, 33 of Inman, and Makovicka, 31 of Orchard, were last seen - six days ago.

A CAP communications vehicle staffed with CAP members from Fremont provided air to ground communications and coordination with the Antelope and Holt County Sheriff’s Departments as well as the Nebraska State Patrol. A CAP ground search and rescue team assisted with a five-hour search of county roads in the primary search area.

Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore reported that his office will be following up on several leads relative to the whereabouts of the missing couple in the coming week. They may be driving a White 1997 GMC Jimmy, Ne License Plate 36-K20, according to officials.

The couple reportedly was last seen January 5 - the first of several days with wind chills at 30 to 40 degrees below zero. An individual told authorities the contact took place at 5:30 p.m. on 865 Road and 495 Ave.

A female matching Makovicka's description was in the passenger seat, according to officials. Wettlaufer told the motorist he had run out of gas. The motorist observed that the vehicle was running but gave Wettlaufer 1.5 gallons of gas. Wettlaufer reportedly then drove east toward Inman.

Anyone with information is asked to contact  the Antelope County sheriff at 402-887-4148 or Holt County Sheriff's Office at 402-336-2850.

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