Found Deceased ME-Theo Ferrara, 14, Last seen on Flying Point Rd, Freeport-22 Sept 2022

[OldCop]

One of the articles mentions that he did attend school that day. It is strange that he left without his phone, but then he may not have good reception in that area. He may have taken a backpack to bring some water, snacks and if he planned to go into the water a towel and some dry clothes.

Good points, but the air temp was only about 57 degrees at the time he left the house. It was mostly cloudy and the water temp was about 59. Not impossible, but not the best day to go for a swim.
On the other hand, if he planned on hiking would he have worn his flip flops?
Just trying to put myself in this young man’s head. The more we know, the more we can eliminate, and that can bring us closer to figuring out where he might be.

 

[Ilex]

Good points, but the air temp was only about 57 degrees at the time he left the house. It was mostly cloudy and the water temp was about 59. Not impossible, but not the best day to go for a swim.
On the other hand, if he planned on hiking would he have worn his flip flops?
Just trying to put myself in this young man’s head. The more we know, the more we can eliminate, and that can bring us closer to figuring out where he might be.

I can't understand the flip flops either. Not comfortable to wear for a long walk. And 4:30 is a bit late to go for a hike. Sunset in just a couple of hours doesn't leave much daylight time. LE did say the dogs had hit on his scent, so I'm assuming they're looking in the areas the dogs tracked him to? I haven't been able to find any social media accounts for him, which is also odd.

 

[shefner]

I can't understand the flip flops either. Not comfortable to wear for a long walk. And 4:30 is a bit late to go for a hike. Sunset in just a couple of hours doesn't leave much daylight time. LE did say the dogs had hit on his scent, so I'm assuming they're looking in the areas the dogs tracked him to? I haven't been able to find any social media accounts for him, which is also odd.

I was hoping Theo had some social media accounts so authorities might access them to gain a better understanding about where he went.

 

[OldCop]

I can't understand the flip flops either. Not comfortable to wear for a long walk. And 4:30 is a bit late to go for a hike. Sunset in just a couple of hours doesn't leave much daylight time. LE did say the dogs had hit on his scent, so I'm assuming they're looking in the areas the dogs tracked him to? I haven't been able to find any social media accounts for him, which is also odd.

Yeah. It’s kind of hard to dive into some of these mp cases without knowing a little more background. The dogs did pick up his scent and LE has mentioned a couple of tips and sightings. This gives them a good direction to start.
With an older child, there are various reasons why they may go missing:
Runaway
Lost
Accident/Injury
Suicide
Mental Health issues
Physical health issues
Abduction
Foul play
Negligent death followed by cover up

A fellow student stated something to the effect that Theo might have wanted to get away to clear his head. What was bothering this young man?

 

[Ilex]

I was hoping Theo had some social media accounts so authorities might access them to gain a better understanding about where he went.

Unless he's using a nickname of some sort, I haven't been able to find anything.

 

[CocoChanel]

*ADMIN REMINDER*
Please remember that until/unless information about this missing teen comes from an MSM source that is linked, it may NOT be brought here to discuss.
THANK YOU for following this very specific TOS.

coco

 

[PommyMommy]

SEP 26, 2022

Search continues for missing Freeport teen

The search continues for a Freeport teen who disappeared last week.

wgme.com

The search continues for a Freeport teen who disappeared last week.

Fliers are up all over the area as part of the intense search for 14-year-old Theo Ferrara.

[...]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574363579591151616

 

[Ilex]

He was wearing a white windbreaker and neon shorts, it seems like he would stick out and be noticed if he had been out and about for long. He must have gone onto one of those trails nearby. Can't believe they haven't found him yet. I do know it was really windy Saturday and that can impede scent dogs. I have one, and we're training for SAR and we had to cancel the training because the wind was too strong.

 

[MissUnderstood]

Above articles have some worrying info. A friend says he probably wants to clear his head. LE think he hasn’t left the area. He has left with no phone. He has no walking shoes and a backpack! These things say suicide to me. Moo. Hope I’m wrong

 

[maine2016]

Local here... very worrisome as the weather has been cold, rainy, stormy. Not great for hiding out in the woods.
I sure hope they find him soon

 

[OldCop]

He was wearing a white windbreaker and neon shorts, it seems like he would stick out and be noticed if he had been out and about for long. He must have gone onto one of those trails nearby. Can't believe they haven't found him yet. I do know it was really windy Saturday and that can impede scent dogs. I have one, and we're training for SAR and we had to cancel the training because the wind was too strong.

Is the ocean in Maquoit Bay protected from rougher seas? I’m wondering if he could have been caught by a rogue wave while down at the beach? Tropical storms have really kicked up the ocean up and down the east coast.
That area around Flying Point Rd looks like a neighborhood of exclusive homes with a lot of acreage dispersed among heavily wooded areas. I wonder if some of those homes are second homes whose owners have left for the season? Locals usually know which homes are seasonal. I wonder if LE contacted absentee owners for permission to search their property? In one of their press releases, LE stated that area residents might see searchers on their property. That surprised me a bit because legally you need the owners’ permission to search on private property. Of course most owners with nothing to hide gladly give permission to search, but some folks are not willing to allow LE or civilian searchers on their property for various reasons.

 

[Ilex]

Is the ocean in Maquoit Bay protected from rougher seas? I’m wondering if he could have been caught by a rogue wave while down at the beach? Tropical storms have really kicked up the ocean up and down the east coast.
That area around Flying Point Rd looks like a neighborhood of exclusive homes with a lot of acreage dispersed among heavily wooded areas. I wonder if some of those homes are second homes whose owners have left for the season? Locals usually know which homes are seasonal. I wonder if LE contacted absentee owners for permission to search their property? In one of their press releases, LE stated that area residents might see searchers on their property. That surprised me a bit because legally you need the owners’ permission to search on private property. Of course most owners with nothing to hide gladly give permission to search, but some folks are not willing to allow LE or civilian searchers on their property for various reasons.

The waters there are really calm. It's not an area where you would see anyone trying to surf. It can get "choppy", but I haven't ever seen a rogue wave kind of situation. I don't know what the regulations are for searching property. I know that near the reserves the properties are often walked and surveyed without permission. It's kind of strange to see someone walking around your back property without a head's up. I think there are some summer homes, but I don't know how many on that road.

 

[shefner]

I think its always worrisome when we read that someone walked out without taking their phone.

 

[OldCop]

The waters there are really calm. It's not an area where you would see anyone trying to surf. It can get "choppy", but I haven't ever seen a rogue wave kind of situation. I don't know what the regulations are for searching property. I know that near the reserves the properties are often walked and surveyed without permission. It's kind of strange to see someone walking around your back property without a head's up. I think there are some summer homes, but I don't know how many on that road.

Wow, this is surprising to me.

Accessing private land: there's the law, and then there's the unwritten rule.​

The law - Unlike most other states, Maine operates under an implied permission structure, meaning that if land is not posted, it is legal to use the land.

The unwritten rule - Always ask permission. Hunting, fishing, or otherwise using private land without the owner's permission is a careless move that puts everyone's future access at risk.

Exploring the Outdoors on Private Land

Access to private land is an incredible gift, and in order to preserve it, everyone who ventures outdoors needs to understand the contribution that landowners make.

www.maine.gov

ETA I wonder if there is a distinction between “use” and “search”. You always need to be aware of your rights under the Fourth amendment. What if a searcher on your land stumbles upon illegal activity?

 

[Ilex]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=5898382366862380

News conference.
Theo was last seen by someone at around 5 or 5:30pm on Thursday. He was not wearing a windbreaker. His shorts are grey with a green neon stripe. He was seen walking toward Brunswick between Flying Point Road and where it turns into Bunganuc Road. They're continuing to search in the same areas they had originally been looking in. They are using search dogs as well as drones and they have marine boats looking in the waterways. Again, they don't want untrained people out there looking, the terrain is rough. They're still asking for anyone with trail cams to check those out.

 

[Ilex]

Wow, this is surprising to me.

Accessing private land: there's the law, and then there's the unwritten rule.​

The law - Unlike most other states, Maine operates under an implied permission structure, meaning that if land is not posted, it is legal to use the land.

The unwritten rule - Always ask permission. Hunting, fishing, or otherwise using private land without the owner's permission is a careless move that puts everyone's future access at risk.

Exploring the Outdoors on Private Land

Access to private land is an incredible gift, and in order to preserve it, everyone who ventures outdoors needs to understand the contribution that landowners make.

www.maine.gov

ETA I wonder if there is a distinction between “use” and “search”. You always need to be aware of your rights under the Fourth amendment. What if a searcher on your land stumbles upon illegal activity?

It's kind of an gentlemen's agreement. You can enter my land to look around, the town will often send assessor's out and measure the outside of your home or walk the property without permission. They'll check outside things, but going into the barns or homes or automobiles aren't allowed without a warrant. And the homeowner has the right to post no trespassing signs as well. The only exception to this is the Allagash. People there are a bit more territorial about their property and if you wander on their lots, you are likely to get greeted with a shotgun.

 

[PommyMommy]

SEP 26, 2022

Missing Freeport teen still believed to be in 'general area,' officials say in Monday press conference

Freeport's police chief said officials have not received information that would give them insight into Theo's state of mind on the day he went missing.

www.newscentermaine.com

[...]

"We still believe he's in this general area," Freeport Police Chief Nathaniel Goodman said during a press conference Monday. "We still ask for the public's assistance if they have game cameras, trail cameras, dash cams, doorbell cams."

Goodman said any video between 4 and 9 p.m. Thursday would be useful to search and rescue personnel, regardless of whether or not Theo can be seen in it. He added that the Freeport Police Department's tip line is the best way to report potential information about Theo: 207-725-5521, option 2, then option 6.

"Any footage that can either show Theo or not show him — we're interested either way so we can prove or disprove that he was in a certain area," Goodman said.

[...]

"Until the facts lead us to another place, we're going to stay right where we are and continue operating as quickly as we can to find him," Goodman said, adding people have come forward claiming to have seen Theo on the day he disappeared. He did not specify exactly when or where.

[...]

When asked about whether officials are looking into the leadup to Theo's disappearance, such as cellphone records or social media messages, Goodman said officials have been tasked to do so.

Goodman said officials have not received information that would give them insight into Theo's state of mind on the day he went missing.

[...]

 

[shefner]

I don't know about you guys but I find it hard to believe police have no clue as to Theo's state of mind when he walked away without his phone.

 

[PommyMommy]

SEP 26, 2022

'We need to bring him home:' Freeport community rallies around search for missing teen

FREEPORT (WGME) -- The search for a missing Freeport teenager is now entering its fifth day, and there is still no sign of him.Also read:Police say abandoned v

wgme.com

[...]

Parents say Ferrara is a gifted artist, talented athlete and co-captain of his soccer team.

"Theo is one of the most affectionate, fun loving, wonderful guys,” Leah Gailey, whose son is Ferrara’s friend, said. “Great sense of humor. He is so respected by his peers."

Freeport police say there is nothing definitive as to the reason Ferrara left home.

[...]

No sign of Freeport teenager missing since Thursday

Police and volunteers continued to search Monday for Theo Ferrara, who has been missing from his Freeport home since Thursday afternoon.

www.pressherald.com

... Last week, he said detectives had been assigned to interview family and friends of Ferrara, but on Monday, Goodman said they had no strong indication of a triggering event or conflict.

Parents print thousands of flyers to aid in search of missing Freeport teen

For the third consecutive day, crews searched for Theo Ferrara by air, land and water.

www.wmtw.com

There’s no known evidence of a motive for him to leave, according to Goodman, but police are looking into things like cell phone records.

“Writing subpoenas, writing search warrants, writing anything we need to try to obtain information,” Goodman said.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Rooting for him to be found safe soon. I really feel for his parents/family.