In the cold and snow, family and friends refused to stop searching for Max Duesterhoeft. His friend, Matthew Eichelberger, said “he’s always been there to talk to and he just has a really great personality.” Eichelberger spent part of Tuesday searching the banks of Swatara Creek with Max’s uncle.
Police said Max was last seen at a party in the 600 block of Pine Road in East Hanover, Lebanon County. They said Max took off his shoes and walked towards Swatara Creek sometime between 2 and 3AM on Saturday. He hasn’t been seen since. Pennsylvania State Trooper David Beohm said “we always have hope that we are going to find him alive.”
The Pennsylvania State Police have temporarily suspended the search for Max until they can gather the proper resources. They plan to begin searching again using helicopters and dogs later this week if Max isn’t found, but the unofficial search for Max will continue. On Tuesday afternoon Eichelberger said “tomorrow we’ll get down on a boat and take the boat down as far as we can. Somebody said down by the Hershey Bridge there’s some logs blocking the way so we’ll go the whole way down there at least.”
In the meantime State Troopers said they need to speak with anyone who was at the party on Saturday morning. Max’s friends also want those at the party to come forward. “Say what happened. It’s not about you, it’s not about what you did. It’s just about finding Max” said Eichelberger.