Equusearch Back in Acadiana Searching for Mickey Shunick

Posted: Jul 16, 2012 6:16 PM by Jenise Fernandez
Updated: Jul 16, 2012 6:52 PM

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Equusearch is again searching for Mickey Shunick. Lafayette Police asked the search and recovery team Equusearch to come back two days after Brandon Lavergne's kidnapping and murder arrest. Equusearch was here for about a week soon after Mickey's disappearance in May. They left after exhausting all leads.
About a dozen Equusearch team members were searching today in St. Martin Parish, but still no sign of Mickey.

"Unfortunately we haven't been to the right place so we're here until it's over with or we've done everything can," said Executive Director Tim Miller.

Last time they were here, they allowed volunteers to help, but this time, only experienced people are allowed on searches. They've gone through extensive training with Equusearch and know how to search for evidence.

"They're very seasoned in searching and I feel this is a lot better with experienced searchers than with volunteers," said Miller.

Miller says the team is focusing on St. Landry, Lafayette, and Acadia parishes. He won't say why their focus is in these three parishes, but aren't ruling out other areas, like Whiskey Bay where the team searched thoroughly during its last visit.

"I'm not going to say we're done there but there are some priority areas first and we're going through the elimination process now," he added.

The team is using ATVs to search through wooded areas. Over the weekend, they used a small ultra-light plane. Miller says finding Mickey is crucial.

"The family needs closure they need to be able to say goodbye. They need a place to go and put flowers and visit," said Miller.

Equusearch has searched for more than 1,200 missing people. So far, they've found and returned 300 safely.They've also found 136 bodies.