Little new information on the search for a Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson soldier missing since Monday is available Friday, with friends and family in his Florida hometown awaiting any word of him.
APD spokesperson Dani Myren says police are still seeking 20-year-old Spc. Brian Semrinec, last seen checking out of the Downtown Ramada Inn at 115 E. 3rd Ave. at about 9 a.m. Monday. Semrinec didn't report for duty Tuesday.
Myren says detectives working the case won't openly discuss any details of the investigation -- including whether police believe foul play is a factor in Semrinec's disappearance, or whether any sign of his whereabouts since Monday have been found.
"At this point it's still an open and active investigation," Myren said. "I don't have any additional public information to release at this time."
U.S. Army Alaska spokesperson Lt. Col. Alan Brown confirmed Semrinec's rank Friday, saying he serves as an artilleryman with JBER's 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. He also declined to discuss the case in detail, noting that APD is leading the investigation.
"I have no information that there's any foul play," Brown said. "There's no information to suggest that he's a danger to himself or the community."
Bradenton, Fla. resident Murray Miller, whose son was a close childhood friend of Semrinec's, describes him as an outgoing character who formed deep bonds with many of the people he met even before he joined the Army, serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
"This kid's a hero," Miller said. "If he disappeared here, a thousand people would probably be out looking for him."
While Semrinec was previously stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., Miller says he specifically sought a deployment to Anchorage and had "embraced the post, embraced the culture."
"This is what he wanted, this is what he fought for," Miller said. "This is his dream post."
Despite a popular outpouring of concern about Semrinec among Bradenton residents, Miller says they haven't received much information about the case thus far. He says locals are hoping Anchorage residents can help find Semrinec.
"We haven't heard anything; his family's flying dark," Miller said. "This is not normal, for him to disappear like that -- he's very, very concerned about his family and friends."
Back in Anchorage, Brown says Semrinec's comrades in the 4/25 also hope for his safe return.
"We obviously want to find him as soon as we can, because he's one of our soldiers and we're concerned for him," Brown said.
According to Myren, Semrinec stands 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 180 pounds. He has military-cut brown hair and brown eyes.
"He has a tattoo of a fish on his leg, and was last seen wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt," Myren wrote in an initial statement on the case Thursday. "He may be carrying a backpack."
Myren asks that anyone with information on Semrinec's whereabouts call APD at 907-786-8900. Semrinec's friends and family in Bradenton have also set up a dedicated Facebook group coordinating efforts to find him.
Source: http://www.ktuu.com/news/news/search-continues-for-jber-soldier-missing-since-monday/26027234
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LostNMissing Inc.
www.lostnmissing.com
LostNMissing Inc., is an all-volunteer national tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "code") and qualifies as a public supported organization under Sections, or Categories: P99 (Human Services - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C.); M99 (Other Public Safety, Disaster Preparedness, and Relief N.E.C.); I01 (Alliance/Advocacy Organizations). LostNMissing is organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of New Hampshire. We never charge a fee for our services.
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