A group of investigators searched for missing Colorado boy Gannon Stauch near a reservoir in El Paso County on Thursday. Cadaver dogs and a group of volunteers joined in, in hopes of finding the boy and bringing the family answeres.
Numerous searchers concentrated their efforts around Big Johnson Reservoir, according to FOX 21. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that they’re searching in the area now because the reservoir had thawed out. It was previously frozen due to cold temperatures. They also have additional equipment to assist in search efforts.
With the help of our partners at Parks and Wildlife, we are using a submersible remotely operated vehicle with sonar to search undisclosed areas of water. We are not utilizing divers at this time. #FindGannon pic.twitter.com/rSc395F2zh
— EPCSheriff (@EPCSheriff) February 6, 2020
Spokesperson for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Deborah Mynatt, said the search will continue despite the frigid temperatures.
“The weather will not deter us from the search. It will not stop us from searching for Gannon. We will just be adding more layers to our attire.”
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Gannon’s stepmother, Tecia Stauch, was supposedly taking care of the boy when he vanished. Gannon’s father, Al Stauch, who’s a member of the National Guard, was out of town working when his son vanished.
According to what Tecia Stauch told police, Gannon was last seen on January 27 at their home off of Mandan Drive. She claimed that Gannon left on foot to visit a friend in the neighborhood between 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., but never returned home.
So far, none of his friends have indicated that they saw Gannon that day. The boy also reportedly missed school on the day he vanished.
Neighbor Roderrick Drayton said he started doing some investigating on his own after Gannon mysteriously vanished.
Happening Now: Search & Rescue crews near Colorado Springs utilize K9s in ground search for #GannonStauch. @EPCSheriff says volunteers are also searching Big Johnson Reservoir and will use equipment to break up ice. @KDVR pic.twitter.com/oTL55vFFXM
— Kristin Haubrich (@KristinHaubrich) February 6, 2020
“I couldn’t sleep so I just stayed up and I started looking through [surveillance footage],” Drayton said. “I looked through on my tablet, then I said, ‘Let me look on my TV to be sure.”
Video footage taken with Drayton’s security camera apparently showed Tecia and Gannon getting into a red truck in the driveway of their residence at around 10:15 a.m. on January 27. She backed the truck into the driveway of her residence and inched it close to the driveway.
Within minutes, Gannon emerged and climbed into the backseat, while Tecia got into the driver’s seat and drove away. Around four hours later, security footage captured Tecia Stauch arriving back home in the truck, but she was alone.
Drayton showed the video Gannon’s father, who immediately broke down crying after watching it.
“He just broke down crying and said, ‘she lied. She lied about the time. He didn’t go to a friend’s house,’” Drayton told ABC 11.
The video has been turned over to authorities for investigation. Although investigators declined to comment on the video, they did not dispute the neighbor’s description of the surveillance footage.
No one has been named a suspect yet in Gannon’s disappearance, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Gannon is described as a white male who stands 4-feet-9-inches tall and weighs around 90 pounds. He has brown eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a blue hooded jacket, jeans, and athletic shoes.
Anyone with any information on Gannon’s whereabouts is urged to contact the El Paso SO’s “Investigations Tip Line” at 719-520-6666. or the El Paso County SO 719-390-5555.
The story is developing. Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo: Gannon Stauch/Handout]
