Medina County authorities are continuing the search for missing Lafayette Township trustee Bryon Macron, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances more than a month ago.
“We still consider it to be a search for a missing person,” said sheriff’s Capt. Dave Centner. “We’re not considering it a homicide at this point.”
Macron’s seat was empty, but a nameplate marked his place Tuesday as the two remaining Lafayette Township trustees held the board’s annual organizational meeting, the Medina County Gazette reported Wednesday.
Macron, 45, disappeared Dec. 16. His wife reported Macron left his home on Ivandale Avenue early that morning. At about 7:30 a.m., a township employee discovered his office at the township building in shambles. Detectives said they found Macron’s cellphone and blood in his office.
Later that day, investigators found Macron’s SUV parked about 3 miles away in a parking lot on the coast of Chippewa Lake. Blood also was found inside the vehicle.
Centner on Wednesday declined to say how much blood was found or where it was located in the office and vehicle, citing the ongoing investigation into his disappearance.
“We’re still waiting on the forensic analysis of evidence that we’ve sent to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the FBI,” the captain said. “Due to the workload those agencies have, it might be awhile before we get answers. This isn’t CIA: Miami — we don’t get evidence analysis back in 35 minutes.”
It could be months before the analysis is complete, and possibly longer before the results are released publicly.
Macron, a wholesale jewelry salesman who once served in the U.S. Marines, is sought by his wife, Victoria, and three daughters. Family and friends gathered at the Macron household earlier this week for a vigil in his name.
Though Centner couldn’t say much on the state of the investigation, he did say authorities have thoroughly searched the area surrounding Chippewa Lake and have found nothing suspicious. He also denied rumors of missing township funds and that there was evidence tying Macron’s disappearance to the Nexus gas pipeline that’s set to cross Medina County despite opposition from environmental groups.
Centner said previously that the township office did not have security cameras installed. What happened in Macron’s office will remain a mystery for now.
Authorities say they’re still accepting tips — even anonymous ones — from the public.
“We’ve received very few tips from the beginning of this investigation,” he said.
“This [disappearance] is uncharacteristic of Mr. Macron, so we’ll continue investigating as long as we can.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 330-725-6631. Callers can remain anonymous and are directed to ask to speak with a detective.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ and on Facebook @JournoNickGlunt .