More than two weeks ago, Flagstaff hiker Axel Brugere went missing in Oak Creek Canyon, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has not reported any updates.
“We have moved to a limited continuous search,” CCSO Public Information Officer Jon Paxton said. “We will continue to follow up on any leads we get. But we are no longer having an active search.”
Brugere was last seen on May 27 at around 1 p.m. when he separated from his friend, John Piekarz, at the top of the notoriously difficult A.B. Young Trail. After searching for his friend with no luck, Piekarz got back to the car hours later around 11 p.m. after getting lost himself. Since the car keys and his phone were with his friend Brugere, Piekarz then slept in the trailhead bathroom before catching a ride back to Flagstaff.
Brugere, a psychology student at Northern Arizona University, is originally from the Phoenix area. His family was notified soon after Piekarz reported him missing, nearly 17 hours after he last saw Brugere. Since then, family, friends and even strangers have been searching around the trail for him.
Throughout the search, some clothes that may belong to Brugere were found near and around the water in Oak Creek. But according to officials, this did not indicate any more information about his whereabouts.
The search actively went on for 10 days. CCSO interviewed Piekarz multiple times to solidify the story behind Brugere’s disappearance.
The trail’s 33 intense switchbacks have resulted in many accidents over the years. The trail begins at the Bootlegger Picnic Area, where Brugere and Piekarz parked the car. The trail climbs 1,600 feet in just 1.6 miles to the rim of Oak Creek Canyon.
But with no real update, Brugere’s family still requests the public and police are keeping an eye out for any updates or signs.
Brugere is a 5-feet-9-inch tell white male, who weighs 140 lbs with green eyes and brown hair. At the time, he was wearing red-colored shorts.
Coconino Sheriff’s Office asks if anyone has seen Brugere, or has information about his location is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 1-800-338-7888. The investigation remains open until Brugere is found.
