N.B. RCMP conduct latest search for missing man near Sussex

David’s mother, Cathy Mitchell Cooper, is pictured beside a picture of her son and his family. (CTV/Avery MacRae)

Officers with the New Brunswick RCMP’s Specialized Policing Services spent the day Saturday searching the Whites Mountain area near Sussex, N.B. The search was part of the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of 48-year old David Alexander Mitchell.

Mitchell was last seen on Sept. 9 at a residence on Whites Mountain Road, and was reported missing on Sept. 25. Police say they have followed up on serval leads throughout the investigation, but efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful to date.

Saturday’s news was the first public update on the case by RCMP since Nov. 14. David’s mother, Cathy Mitchell Cooper, admits she doesn’t know what they are doing in regard to this latest search but is happy to see some action.

“I'm grateful for that as a family and as a community as we're all pretty happy to see some type of action,” Mitchell says from her home in Quispamsis, N.B. “As I said, I have no idea what it is (they are doing), but it's encouraging.”

David’s mother, who has been vocal on social media throughout the investigation in an effort to bring her son home, says communication with the RCMP has broken down.

She admits while her own emotions may have impeded her from being as cooperative with the investigation as perhaps she should be, she isn’t okay with the lack of communication from the department.

“They're my only hope,” Mitchell says on her son being brought home. “When you don't have hope at all it's awful hard on you. I depended on them, I depended on their bosses, I depend on them to help me. I need help, and if I don't feel that I'm getting that, it leaves me very frustrated and discouraged and not a very nice person.”

While she feels the RCMP have dropped the ball to a degree, she credits the community for their on-going support.

“It's given me the strength to carry on,” she says. “I actually got a post a few weeks ago which said to me, Cathy, he's not only your son now, he's New Brunswick’s son.”

She says the weeks ahead with the holidays will be difficult for the family, but she still has hope her son will be bought home for Christmas to offer closure for not just her family but the entire community.

David Alexander Mitchell is described as being approximately six feet two inches tall, and weighing around 200 pounds. He has hazel eyes, grey hair and a goatee.

Police are asking anyone with information on where Mitchell may be to contact them at [phone] or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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