Tomorrow will make one week since 83-year-old Hubert Richards has been missing. The family has been searching tirelessly for their loved one and today after another long search they were feeling more than frustrated due to what they say is the lack of assistance from police. Now, this contradicts what police told us yesterday when they said that they were working with the family. This evening they told us that's not so, and they are making a plea for help from the authorities as the number of days increase.
Sheri Richards, Granddaughter
"We've been coordinating with the investigating officer. He's been putting out the information. However, it's like the other police departments have not been working on the information received."
Sahar Vasquez, reporter
"So you dont feel they are taking it seriously."
Sheri Richards, Granddaughter
"The thing is it seems it's only the investigating officer that's working in the case and we know it's impossible for him only to work on the case. We need the efforts of the Belize Police Department countrywide."
"We've been providing this information to them and we know the areas he's been seen, so when we give you this information, as you said the Canine Dogs - you can say well we are going to bring in one Canine dog. One will work, because we know they just need to pick up his scent and pick up where he is. However, nothing has been done solely by the family. It's solely by the family working together."
Kenisha Richards, Granddaughter
"In terms of the family - for every call that we've received we've jump on every single call whether or not we believe it to be true or not, we've jump on it, liaise with the investigating officer while simultaneously being out there together. So at least 3-4 vehicles are out there since Friday night searching solely family comprise of my grandfather's wife, his children, his grandchildren. No presence of the police department."
"It makes it very frustrating because after 6 days out in the rain, going home worrying about whether our grandfather is warm somewhere, if he is in a warm bed - I'm feeling so guilty going into our own beds and obviously we are not sleeping, but feeling guilty just going home knowing that he is still out there and we as the family feel that we've exhausted all our efforts to try and find him and again, it's frustrating when you don't have additional man power out there."
"It's been a rough couple of days. The family is still enthusiastic and we haven't given up, because we know the strength of our grandfather and I think that's still within us and I believe it will stay within us. So that is what is keeping us going out there."
The family thanks those that have assisted so far and hopes the authorities get involved to increase search power. The family received calls today saying that he was last seen at the Guinea Grass cutoff yesterday.
If you have seen Richards or know anything about his whereabouts you can contact the family at 625-3838 or 203-4784.
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