Lee Cutler: Update on Missing 18-Year-Old

Update 11/27

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B"H

Please continue to pray for Levi ben Basya.

M
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Buffalo Grove investigators take lead in search for SHS student
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/buffalogrove/news/639982,bg-missing-110807-s1.article
November 8, 2007
By CHARLES BERMAN & KATIE OKON
Staff Writers

The Sauk County (Wis.) Sheriff's Department concluded the majority of the search effort for 18-year-old Buffalo Grove resident Lee S. Cutler lastweek after scouring the Baraboo River and surrounding area, according to family spokesman Dan De Grazia and Buffalo Grove police.

De Grazia said Oct. 31 the Buffalo Grove Police Department will take the lead in the investigation from now on as Wisconsin officials are confident that Cutler is not in the area along the river.

Buffalo Grove police Cmdr. Steve Husak confirmed Nov. 1 that local police are now handling the investigation into Cutler's disappearance.

"We met with the Sauk County Sheriff's Department, and they did a significant amount of searching and gave over all the information. It was a productive meeting. There isn't much more they can do up there," Husak said. "They will continue to survey the area but won't be in the river again."

Husak said the Wisconsin investigators are convinced that Cutler is not in the river.

"Cadaver dogs couldn't locate him in over a mile stretch in the river," Husak said. "(Sheriff's officials) said branches and debris would stop the water flow and not allow him to be any further away."

Cutler's disappearance remained a mystery at press time.

Investigators found the Stevenson High School senior's gray 2007 Toyota Corolla, a backpack, clothing and other personal belongings in Fairfield Township, Wis., but they did not locate Cutler.

The search effort employed foot patrols, ATVs, planes and helicopters equipped with infrared scanners, sonar and cameras in addition to dive teams in the river.

"The family is having a hard time adjusting to the news," De Grazia said.

Cutler was last seen dropping off a friend at 9:50 a.m. Oct. 20 after attending a party the previous night. He failed to show up to his part-time job at Rock America in Vernon Hills, where he was scheduled to begin work at noon.