
The search for Ronald Estridge, the Lancaster County man reported missing earlier this month, concluded with a grim discovery when a body found in a secluded woodland area was confirmed to be his. Estridge, 57, was last seen alive at his home on January 7, per details shared by WBTV.
Authorities were alerted last Tuesday by a neighbor returning from work who noticed Estridge's body in the forest just off Cannery Road, close to where he lived and also a short distance from Estridge's residence on Deason Lane, the infrequent sightings of the missing man had the community in a collective state of worry QC News reports. Multiple agencies had joined in the search for Estridge, including crime scene investigators and search K-9 units, their efforts ultimately leading to this sorrowful conclusion.
The search involved parties from varied disciplines, united in the goal of returning Estridge to his home; disappointment in the outcome weighed heavily on the involved teams. "We are disappointed in the outcome of this search," Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile expressed in sentiments of mourning and resolution, indicating that "at least the family will not have to live with the uncertainty of where Mr. Estridge is," as recounted in the written statement obtained by QC News.
While law enforcement authorities have not suggested foul play, the community awaits the official cause of death pending autopsy results; meanwhile, Estridge’s known occasional bouts of confusion, and his family's concern for his wellbeing had previously been reported by WCCB Charlotte. The Sheriff's Office encourages anyone with further information to come forward, as the pursuit of understanding the entirety of how Estridge's demise came to pass continues.