UPDATE: March 4 at 6 p.m.
A Mason County man has been missing for more than a month. His family says his last known location was in Casey County.
On January 22, 28-year-old Jacob Ring called his family. While Ring is from Mason County, his family learned he was in Casey County. That was the last time Ring spoke with his family.
“He was visiting the mother of his children with his children,” said Brandon Long, chief of the Liberty-Casey County Rescue Squad. “That's what led us to that area to know where to search. That was the last known place that anybody knew he was at.”
With Ring missing more than a month, family and friends from the Maysville area decided to go looking in Casey County. They were joined by a number of crews, including the Liberty-Casey County Rescue Squad, Casey County Emergency Management, Somerset Fire & Rescue team, and law enforcement.
“In that we covered 115 miles just on feet, walking, looking for any little thing in the woods,” Long said.
The search also included drones and cadaver dogs. Long said the local Casey County officials have been willing to lend a helping hand.
“You know who you pass every day. You see the same people, and for this to happen here in our community, it's kind of out of the ordinary for us,” shared Long. “When the family asked to search, we're like, absolutely. Who knows the hills and the backwoods better than the people that live here.”
Saturday’s search did not reveal any clues or new information. Now, officials in Casey County and family in Maysville are hoping to raise awareness to the case.
“This case has gone cold for us,” Long said. “We're trying to get the eyes of the community down here looking to hopefully bring up new details, new tips, maybe possible sightings to try to figure out where Mr. Ring went to try to give his family some closure.”
If you would like to learn more, you can find information on Facebook at the Casey County Sheriff’s Office page, or on the Liberty-Casey County Rescue Squad page.
If you have any information, you can call the Casey County Sheriff’s Office at (606) 787-6821 or call their anonymous tipline at (606) 787-0288.
This Sunday, March 8, there is going to be a candlelight vigil for Ring in Maysville at The Refinery Church of the Nazarene at 156 W. Maple Leaf Rd. at 6 p.m.
According to family, Jacob Ring is 6’3” and 170 lbs.
Original Story:
Casey County rescue teams, K9 units and drone crews searched more than 114 miles of rugged terrain for 28-year-old Jacob Ring but did not find him.
Rescue crews in Casey County, Kentucky, conducted an extensive search operation on Feb. 28 for Jacob Ring, a missing 28-year-old man, covering more than 114 miles of mixed wooded and agricultural terrain without locating him.
The Liberty-Casey County Rescue Squad coordinated the effort alongside Casey County Emergency Management, Somerset Fire & Rescue Team, K9 units, drone teams, law enforcement, EMS standby personnel and members of the public from Maysville.
An Incident Command Post was reportedly established near KY 70 and Highway 206 in the Brown Gate area.
Search crews deployed five ground teams conducting grid and foot searches, K9 cadaver dogs in wooded ridge systems and near structures, and drone and UAS teams performing large-perimeter aerial sweeps using thermal and visual imaging, officials reported. GPS mapping and documentation of all search tracks and marked areas were also conducted throughout the operation.
Teams searched mixed wooded and agricultural terrain south and southwest of KY 70 and Highway 206, as well as steep ridge systems north and northeast of the highway. Ground searchers walked a combined 114.6 miles, not including K9 handlers and dogs, according to officials.
Crews encountered steep slopes, dense vegetation and large acreage during the search. Despite the challenges, all areas were systematically searched and documented.
No confirmed contact was made with Ring and no confirmed personal effects were located. The case remains open and active pending further investigative developments, officials added.
Ring was reportedly last seen on Jan. 22 at around 10:30 a.m. in the Creston Water Spur and Highway 206 area.
