Kentville police say false rumours about the discovery of a body along the Cornwallis River Wednesday night are not helpful to their search efforts for a missing North Kentville man, even as security video footage has provided a new clue to his movements
Const. Chris Burke, the search leader, said someone falsely posted on social media that a body had been found.
“It’s not true. We’re still out searching,” he said Thursday afternoon.
Any new information will be released by the department, he said.
Ground search and rescue teams were back along the Cornwallis River Thursday looking for 29-year-old Joshawa Bentley, who hasn’t been seen since he left the King’s Arms pub in Kentville at 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
Burke said that security footage from a camera at the Kentville Justice Centre shows Bentley walking alongside the building in the direction of the river near the Cornwallis Street bridge.
“We’re pretty positive it was him,” Burke said.
The command post is now set up behind the courthouse. About 30 search and rescue volunteers were combing the river banks east and west of the town for any sign of Bentley.
Burke said the search is still considered a missing person case.
Police have said it’s unusual for Bentley to be out of contact with friends and family.
Police have said that there is no indication of foul play.
Ground search and rescue personnel, firefighters, a police dog and the helicopter searched along the river between Kentville and Port Williams on Monday.
“We covered a lot of ground,” Burke said.
Bentley is white with a reddish-brown full beard and hair. He is six-foot-one and weighs 120 pounds, and has three tattoos: one on his right forearm that reads, “sometimes you have to go through hell to get to Heaven,” one of a handprint on his chest, and one of the Browning logo on the back of his right shoulder.
Police released a photo of Bentley from Saturday night at the King’s Arms, showing him wearing a red and black checked flannel shirt with a black printed shirt underneath, and jeans.
Burke said anyone who thinks they have seen Bentley is asked to contact police.
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