Russell Neilsen, 30, Rice Lake, WI - 4-5-08

[CutiePie4]

A friend of mine that I graduated with has been missing since Saturday night. I am asking if you could all please keep him and his family in your prayers. Please pray that he is found safe and alive. It doesnt look good, but there is always hope. Thanks!

http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/17339849.html

[CutiePie4]

Thanks to both of you. My heart just sank when I found out. I feel like my heart is in my throat. Its just so sad.

[WillowInFlight]

YOU have it

[Brattnt]

Keeping him in my prayers Cutie....

I will also add him to helpfindthemissing.org site if you want....

You have my prayers that he is safe and will return soon. Please let us know if you find out anything else.

[annalyzer]

Praying your friend is found safe.

[CutiePie4]

Hi Bratt. That would be awesome. Thanks for all the prayers. You never think anything like this will happen to anyone you know but when it does its awful. I am just in shock right now and so sad. I will keep everyone updated as I find out more. Thanks again.

[Charms]

Cutie, I said a prayer for your friend when I read your post.
I hope and pray all will be well.
Peace and Blessings

[Postergeist]

Will add my prayers to your friend's safety CutiePie.

Any word if his car was operable? Was he known to fish by river or go hunting for morel mushrooms (if they grow in that area)?

It's that time of year that people have to be cautious of snakes coming out from hibernation.

I hope your friend wasn't despondent in any way.

It's good they have so many groups out searching for him, hoping for you to hear good news today.

[Katt2]

Good thoughts that this young man is found safe.

[msgatorslayer]

I hope your friend is found safe.

[HANNAH ROSE]

Will keep him in my prayers.

[Mandysmom]

Adding my prayers for your friend, cutiepie. I have seen miracles happen when people gather together (even on messageboards) and will hope for one here.

[kitty1182]

Prayers that he is found safe..

[CutiePie4]

Rice Lake man missing in Rusk County
Rusk County and area authorities searched unsuccessfully by foot, boat and air Sunday for Russell Neilsen, 30, of Rice Lake, who was reported missing by his family. Neilsen’s vehicle was found parked along a town road in a rural area about 10 miles north of Bruce near the Chippewa River. A coat and hat believed to belong to Neilsen were also found.


Hi Everyone. No good news yet. Its been hard trying to find any new information. None of us want to bother his family in this hard time. I am thinking he fell into the river but that is just my speculation on what happened. Please continue to pray for him and that god willing he is found alive although it isnt looking good.

[HansieDZ]

Prayers for this man and his friends and loved ones.
Stay strong and keep us updated if you can please.

Russell

[Manzanita]

Prayers for him! Please keep us updated on the progress of this situation....

[jtazzy]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family. Praying for a safe return for him.

[sarahhod]

Will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

[CutiePie4]

Rusk County sheriff's deputies plane to resume their search this afternoon for a 30-year-old Rice Lake man.

Authorities have searched by land, water and air for Russell Neilsen, reported missing by his family Saturday evening.

Officers and others from 11 agencies searched the Chippewa River, wooded areas on both sides of the river and buildings in the area.

A coat and hat believed to belong to Neilsen was found in the area, but he was not located.




The search continues but they still have not found him. I am assuming he is in the river some where and probably just washed away. That is the only thing I can think of as to why they have not found him yet. I wish I could go help search, but have to leave town tomorrow for some work training. Russ was an awesome friend and person. Never had a bad thing too say about anyone or anything. We are all sure going to miss him, but I should stay positive that he is alive. Getting harder though. Thanks for all the continued prayers.

[Breazy]

So hoping that Russell is safe. Prayers being sent up for his safe return.

[Brattnt]

Monday's Upate:

Search crews in Rusk County are still looking for a missing Rice Lake man this evening. It's the third day crews have been looking for 30-year-old Russell Nielsen.

The Rusk County Sheriff tells us family members reported him missing Saturday night, and found his S.U.V. by the Chippewa River north of Bruce.

Crews from eleven area departments searched by air, ground and water for Nielsen. Monday, the sheriff says they used K-9's and concentrated their efforts near the river, about 10 miles north of Bruce near Highway 40 and County Highway A.

Sheriff Kaminski says Nielsen's family members found his hat and coat in the woods near the river. Family members say they don't know what he was doing there that day. The sheriff says he has no evidence to suspect foul play.

If you have any information, contact the Rusk County Sheriff's Department at (715) 532-2189.


http://www.weau.com/news/headlines/17339849.html

[porchlight]

Rice Lake man disappears
Family members find vehicle near Sawyer County line
By Chris Vetter
Chippewa Falls News Bureau
Law enforcement officials continue to search for a Rice Lake man who has been missing in the northern part of Rusk County since Saturday.

Russell Neilsen, 30, last was seen Saturday evening. He went to a wooded area that morning, about 10 miles north of Bruce near the Sawyer County line, and parked his car, Rusk County Sheriff David Kaminski said.

"He knew this area very well because he grew up there," Kaminski said. "He just parked it there. We assume he walked through the woods there."

Neilsen's family found his vehicle but were unable to locate him, so they contacted the Sheriff's Department.

A jacket and hat family members believe belong to Neilsen were found nearby.

Kaminski said a search began Sunday morning and another was conducted Monday by boat, air and on foot.

"We're still looking, and we're continuing in new areas (Monday)," Kaminski said.

A helicopter and an airplane were used in the search, and crews checked wooded land and along the Chippewa River.

The water level on the Chippewa River has risen quickly, Kaminski said.

"(Sunday) it was fast," Kaminski said. "With the rain we got, it rose quickly, and it's fast right now."

Agencies participating in the search included the Sheriff's Department and fire departments from Ladysmith, Bruce and Exeland, along with several other agencies. The Department of Criminal Investigations sent up the plane to assist in the search, Kaminski said.

Vetter can be reached at 723-0303 or chris.vetter@ecpc.com.

http://www.leadertelegram.com/story-...id=BG9HEALHBHV

[porchlight]

We have added Russell's case here
http://z10.invisionfree.com/usedtobe...ic=30907&st=0&
and here
http://z13.invisionfree.com/Porchlig...ic=13625&st=0&

[butterfly28]

Originally posted by CutiePie4 [*]A friend of mine that I graduated with has been missing since Saturday night. I am asking if you could all please keep him and his family in your prayers. Please pray that he is found safe and alive. It doesnt look good, but there is always hope. Thanks!

http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/17339849.html [/*]

My thoughts are with you

[Heidi J.]

Prayers for his safe return.

[CutiePie4]

Thanks for all the continued prayers. Its so sad they have not found him yet. When I get home from my work trip I might go help search. They are asking for volunteers. He was the nicest guy you would ever meet. They have a pic up of him on the website. I will post the link. Russ was always so witty and funny. You were never bored when he was around. I feel so lucky to have known him as long as I have. I am so sad to think he is gone. I am sure he is. Lets pray and hope he is not. Its getting really hard to be positive. He's been missing for far too long and with the river right there, that is not a good sign.

http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/17354924.html