Winnipeg police seek Derek and Brittany, witnesses in Cooper Nemeth disappearance
Parents make emotional plea for return of 17-year-old, last reported seen on Feb. 14
Winnipeg police and the parents of Cooper James Nemeth are asking the public for information that could lead them to two people who may have been with the 17-year-old around the time of his disappearance.
"We really need the public's help in identifying who Derek and who Brittany are," Det.-Sgt. ShaunnaNeufeld of the Winnipeg Police Servicemissing persons unit told reporters on Wednesday.
Police have since received a lot of tips and they may have identified Derek and Brittany.
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Nemeth's parents, Brent and GayleneNemeth, also spoke publicly for the first time on Wednesday, issuing an emotional plea for any information that could lead to their son'swhereabouts.
"We know he was with some people in the late night into Sunday morning, and we're pleading for those people to come forward with any information that will help lead us to Cooper."
His voice breaking, Brent Nemeth had a message for his son: "Cooper, if you can see this, your friends need you, your team needs you, we need you.
"We love you, Cooper. Please come home. We can figure everything out. It doesn't matter; we'll take care of it."
"He would stay at [a] friend's house but he would always text me, or late at night I would text him, 'Where are you?' He would always reply to me. He would let me know if he was staying somewhere," Nemeth said.
"For him to not come home and shower and change his clothes it's not him. He's never done that."
Searchers met at noon Wednesdayat Gateway Recreation Centre, saidLaresa Sayles, Cooper Nemeth's aunt. They are looking for people to hand out flyers door-to-door, and they want to searchcreeks, riverbanks, treed areas and brush, she said. The searchers were scheduled toconvene again at the community centre at 4 p.m.
Family, friends & community members continue search for Cooper Nemeth. People with info asked to call police. #cbcmb pic.twitter.com/TW1ZmIMw6l
—@Alana_Cole
Nemeth was last seen wearing a black jacket with a River East Marauders hockey logo on the front.
Police are askinganyone with information on his whereabouts to call204-986-6250.