It's been 18 days since 4 fishermen from Dangriga: 19-year-old Leon Joseph, 42-year-old Omar Thompson, 29-year-old Brenton Brackett, and 25-year-old Jeffrey Gomez, went missing after departing Southern long Caye.
Since then their families have been speaking out, publicizing ever-growing search efforts, and complaining about the carelessness of the police in the public campaign to locate them.
And this morning while in Dangriga Cherisse Halsall caught up with Brenton Brackett's father, Dave Brackett. Here's his update on the search that he's not ready to give up on.
Dave Brackett, Father of Brenton Brackett
"We haven't received any further information. The search still continues. The Coast guard doesn't have anything new to say and the police have only said that they're continuing their searches. We don't have anything, not even a clue."
"Well in my mind I just feel like people in the area around the Caye where they said that he went missing would have information but the police are not releasing that information as the investigation is still going."
"Well Sunday. We searched the area, the area that they're likely to be you know, the area that he usually visits when he goes to the Cayes and we didn't come up with anything no clue, none of the crew members nor the boat."
And while those are the results of the civilian searches, this morning ACP Joseph Myvette told us that the authorities aren't faring any better.
ACP Joseph Myvette, Head NCIB
"In relation to that issue searches were conducted extensively by police and coast guard officers in that area but so far those persons haven't been found and neither has any communication been made with their families by those persons."
"The search is still ongoing however at a more reduced if you want to call it at this point in time but yes, it's still ongoing."
Cherisse Halsall:
"Sir the streets are saying that there may be a connection between Gomez's murder and the disapperance of these four fishermen have the police found any evidence to that?"
ACP Joseph Myvette, Head NCIB
"No we haven't but the same information was shared with us and we are looking into that as well."
Brackett's Common law wife is at home with their two-month-old daughter. Still, waiting on any sliver of news about his whereabouts. She spoke to us off camera and told us that she's stunned by the disappearance because Brackett who was ever dependable with calls and check-ins has never failed to come home.
Voice of: Marcine Dawson, Brackett's common law wife
"Friday the 11th of December."
Cherisse Halsall:
'What was the last thing that you guys were talking about, where did he say he was going?"
Voice of: Marcine Dawson, Brackett's common law wife
"Well when he left from home it was because they were going to caye on a fishing trip, that was when we last spoke, but he called me when he arrived at the caye and he told me that he would come back the next day."
"It's hard but I'm still praying everyday that he comes home."
Once again, The Police department and the Coast guard are asking anyone with information to please contact their operations center at 222-5262 or 922 tips.
