Mystery deepens as search ends for missing Dover planning board chair
Over three days, a search in Dover for a local government official ended without public explanation, while investigators pursue new leads in an open case. Authorities released only a brief update stating the operation had concluded and that the investigation remains active.
Officials provided no specifics about where the search took place, what investigators were looking for, whether anything was recovered, or what prompted the operation. There was no immediate indication that foul play was suspected, according to police briefings.
A State Police spokesperson offered little detail, promising more information would be shared as it becomes available.
The missing person, 49-year-old Ryan Courtien, was last seen around 9:30 a.m. Sunday near Waldo Road in Dover. He was described as wearing tan pants and a black T-shirt at the time.
Courtien has served as a Dover town supervisor in the past and coached cross-country at Haldane High School. At the moment of disappearance, he was the chair of the Dover Planning Board. A board secretary indicated she had no information about the case at that time.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the state police through official channels.
The case remains under active investigation as officials review new leads and revisit possible locations connected to Courtien’s last-known movements.
