'We left work to come here to look for Ralph': Search ongoing for man missing near Behchok - Action News
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'We left work to come here to look for Ralph': Search ongoing for man missing near Behchok

Ralph Beaulieu, 54, was expected to be picked up from his cabin on May 8, but was not there when the friend went to meet him.

Family friend says more ground searchers are needed

A woman with grey hair and glasses wearing a jacket is seen in a close-up portrait.
Eva Beaulieu has been out looking for her brother Ralph since last Thursday. (Marc Winkler/CBC)

Eva Beaulieuhas been stationed on the highway between Yellowknife andBehchok for a week, looking for her brother Ralph.

She drove from Fort Resolution, where the Beaulieu family is from, to help with the search.

RCMP say theyare continuing to co-ordinate a search and rescuemission to find Ralph Beaulieu, 54, who was dropped off at his cabin near Behchok on April 23and was supposed to be picked up May 8 but never showed up.

"He's a bush person," Evasaid. "He knows what to do, where to go, how to do things."

"I can't jump to conclusions and say whathas happened to him because I don't know."

She was joined by twoof her nephews and two cousins who also came down from Fort Resolution to help search.

"I'm staying positive that he's still out there wandering and hoping that he will wander back into camp," she said.

Peter Liske, a Canadian Ranger, said he's been involved in searches before and felt it was important to help out with this one too.

A police officer and a search and rescue member seen from behind driving a quad through burnt forest.
An RCMP officer and a search and rescue member drive out to look for Ralph Beaulieu, who was reported missing on May 9. (Mark Winkler/CBC )

"We did this before," he said, "it's emotional."

Liske said the searchers have found a few items from Beaulieu, but haven't been able to find his footprints.

"It don't make sense," Liske said.

More searchers wanted

Const. Ryan Price with the N.W.T. RCMPsaid they're helping the search team and confirmed that some articles of clothing had been found.

"Hopefully we're going to have some luck," Price said.

Shirley King, a close family friend, drove with Evafrom Fort Resolution to help with the search.

A man with glasses and a beard seen in a close up shot
Ralph Beaulieu, 54, was expected to get picked up at his cabin south of Behchok but did not show up. (Submitted by N.W.T. RCMP )

"We left work to come here to look for Ralph," she said.

King said Ralphwas supposed to be at the cabin for a couple of weeks.

"We do need more ground search," King said."We just need closure."

King also said the area has been difficult to search because of the terrain.

"It's really rough, fallen trees," she said.

RCMP said there has been some interest from people who want to help with the search.

"Those interested in helping out are asked to coordinate with Yellowknife Ground Search and Rescue or theRCMPSearch Manager on site before heading out to search," the RCMP said in a news release.

On Thursday,RCMP said police dog services attended the search area on Wednesdayto take part in additional searches.

"Today, CASARA is going to put up a UAV(unmannedaerial vehicle)with a high definition camera to search some areas that were not easily accessible on foot," Cpl. Matt Halstead, a spokesperson for the RCMP,said in an email Thursday morning.

Lorraine Villeneuve, also from Fort Resolution, wants to see more people come out to help.

"I'd just like to see more people coming to help support," she said.

"I'd like everyone to light a candle and say a prayer for Ralph's safe journey home."

Two signs that read 'search party' and 'find Ralph'
Signs posted on the search area on the highway between Behchok and Yellowknife. (Marc Winkler/CBC)

With files from Marc Winkler and Richard Gleeson