New leads in search for missing Ohio man near Mt. St. Helens, 'giving searchers hope'

UPDATE: Rescue crews said they've found an Ohio man alive after he had been missing nearly a week on Mount St. Helens.

ORIGINAL POST:

COUGAR, Wash. – Searchers have new cell phone records that might help them find a man who was last seen heading to Mount St. Helens last Thursday.

Rescue crews have been searching for 40-year-old Matthew B. Matheny from Warren, Ohio since Saturday morning. He was last seen about 7 a.m. Thursday, driving his friend’s gray Subaru Outback.

Based on Matheny’s cell phone records, he was several miles up towards Mount St. Helens along the Blue Lake Trail. Deputies said they found the Subaru at the Blue Lake Trailhead on Saturday.

Other hikers who were out there over the weekend said they saw a man in the area who was wearing gray clothing – which matches what Matheny had on when he went missing.

“This information is giving searchers more hope as they continue to expand their efforts to locate Mr. Matheny,” officials said.

They are asking for anyone with helpful information to call the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, even if the information doesn’t match up with the leads they are currently following.

“We always keep an open mind about all tips,” officials said.