'Our Highest Priority': Cops Continue Search For Missing Manhattan Man

MANHATTAN, IL — The search for a missing Manhattan man continues, with his sister recently rallying volunteers to search a trail on foot, horseback and four-wheelers, and police now turning to cell phone and banking records.

It's now been 12 days since Anthony Fehrenbacher was last seen or heard from. His sister Liz Fehrenbacher organized the search party over the weekend, ultimately ending without any answers.

"I’m afraid that something has seriously happened to him," Feherenbacher told Patch Tuesday.

Manhattan police on Monday said they are still looking for the 47-year-old, lifelong resident of Manhattan.

"At this time, this situation is our highest priority and being actively investigated," police shared on social media.

"We have notified all area law enforcement agencies, including the Illinois State Police and Will County Sheriff's Office. Anthony has been entered into a nationwide law enforcement database, and our department members have searched numerous areas."

Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Wold said as of Monday, the department had begun digging deeper into his cell phone records and had sought access to his banking records. Monday, the department also acquired a drone to aid in the search.

"We’re investigating this as the worst case scenario, hoping for the best possible outcome," Wold said.

Fehrenbacher is about 6 feet tall, and has a slim build and dark hair peppered with gray, his sister told Patch. She said her brother told her he has been depressed as he goes through a divorce. Her concern deepened when he did not arrive for a pre-arranged visit with his children, she said.

"This divorce really has him down in the dumps," Liz told Patch. "He’s fighting tooth and nail for his children. He would be there if his kids were coming over. He would have answered phone calls if his kids were trying to call him.

"He loves his kids, he’s always spent time with them."

A search party over the weekend took to the Wauponsee Trail, trekking as far as Symerton and scouring the path and areas around it. They were looking for "him, clothing, a wallet, keys, a phone ... anything.

"I appreciate each and every person who showed up," Liz said on social media. "I think we had six 4-wheelers out there, going in ravines and creek beds. People on bikes, 20+ people on foot. People went out on horseback on Sunday, and several people showed up to walk the trails again Saturday night and Sunday morning.

"Tony is truly blessed to have so many friends and acquaintances looking for him. So many people with so many kind words about my brother. I appreciate all of you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to search for him."

Her brother is the "yin to her yang," she said, and the two have always been close.

"He’s a good guy, you can talk to anyone that knows him," she said. "He’s lived in the same house his entire life, he’s never moved. He’s dependable, he’s been in the laborers’ union since he was 20.

"This is not my brother, he would not just disappear for 10-11 days without letting someone know. He would not not be there for his children."

Fehrenbacher's cars were left at his home. A phone was also found inside the residence. Liz Fehrenbacher told Patch previously that if her brother was going out for a walk, he may have chosen to leave his phone behind.

Liz pleads with those in Manhattan and surrounding areas to continue to keep an eye out for her brother. She fears the worst.

"If he ends up on one of those trails, someone put him there," she told Patch. "I’m afraid that something has seriously happened to him.

"... His life is either in danger, or has been in danger. I feel like something has happened to him."

Anyone with information about Anthony Fehrenbacher’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Manhattan Police Department at (815) 478-4408.