Search for Metro employee Mark Bosworth gains national steam
Word about Mark Bosworth's disappearance reached people in New York's Time Square today. The missing person flier for Mark was broadcast on the Time Square's giant digital billboard.
Mark, a Metro employee, went missing on the night of September 16 in Riddle, Oregon while volunteering with Cycle Oregon. He had been disoriented in the weeks before, and the night of, his disappearance. A medical condition related to previous cancers he’s battled is likely to blame for his confusion.
Deckers Outdoor Corporation employees Mark's wife Julie. The company put up the $10,000 reward for information that leads to finding Mark. Deckers sent out a news release about the reward through the PRNewswire service the company uses on a regular basis. The PRNewswire then had the flier put up on the digital billboard.
Associated Press report shares Mark's story nationwide
In addition to the flier being featured on the Times Square billboard, local Associated Press Reporter Terrence Petty wrote a story about Mark and the efforts to find him. The story was released to the nation and quickly went up on the websites of national news organizations including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CBS News, the Washington Post and others. It is also has been posted on the San Francisco Chronicle, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Houston Chronicle websites as well as similiar sites.
Interest in Mark's story increases
The increased national attention is creating more chatter on Facebook and Twitter. FindMark.org has had more than 48,000 visits since Saturday morning and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office blog site, where the agency posts news releases about Mark's disappearance, has had more than 40,000 hits.
The sheriff's office says it is receiving calls into its tip line from "all over." Calls have come in from throughout Oregon, Washington, California and as far away as Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. The possible sightings – all unsubstantiated at this time – have been reported after the fact, not while the person was still in the location.
Mark's family hopes increasing awareness and social media efforts pushing for national attention will make a difference. Their hope is when Mark is spotted, people will immediately know it is him and call 911. Anyone with a possible previous siting of Mark is asked to call the tip line:541-957-2099. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads us to Mark.
"An alternate universe"
Mark's wife Julie is reaching out to her friends and business contacts. Quoting an email she sent out today, "Thank you, friend. I feel the love and prayers. I feel like I am in an alternate universe where things don't make sense, but love and caring still do."
"My hope now is that Mark is either already in an emergency room someplace, and not yet identified (but soon will be!), or else he is traveling/hitchihiking and not even letting on how confused he is; perhaps heading for one of our homes in New York 20 years ago, being his usual charming self to strangers along the way. And one of them will recognize him."
Bike ride for Mark
A bike ride in support of Mark will take place on Saturday, October 1 at 10 a.m. beginning and ending at Peninsula Park. The public is encouraged to turn out. The ride will be a ten-mile loop. People are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch for after the ride.
Keep up on developments in the search for Mark at www.FindMark.org
