Freiheit's wife, mother head to Germany to help in search for missing man

The wife and mother of missing man Jeffrey David Freiheit have flown to Germany to see what they can do to help in the search for him.

Wife Selena said it has been a whirlwind few days, reporting on Sunday that she and Kathy had safely made it to Bad Tölz, Germany, where Freiheit was last seen on Aug. 2.

She said that they have connected directly with local police, who have assured them that they are doing all they can to search the area where Freiheit was last sighted.

The 32-year-old Brandon educator was travelling alone along a hiking trail called Der Traumpfad (The Dream Way), which spans from Munich to Venice.

Selena pointed to a story on German news outlet merkur.de as carrying the latest information on her husband's disappearance.

Previous cloud cover had dissipated, allowing a police helicopter to fly over the area Freiheit was last seen, passing over the area several times and at different altitudes, merkur.de reported.

The Alpine Police Task Force and Lenggries Mountain Guard have also been searching at the base of a ridge.

"In the current weather, with temperatures that are not too low, (police chief commissioner Fritz) Schwarm considers it quite possible that the man has survived to the present day if he has crashed and injured," the report continued.

Freiheit had booked overnight accommodations along the path he intended to hike, but failed to show up.

"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the Canadian citizen reported missing in Germany," a Global Affairs Canada spokesperson said last week. "Canadian consular officials in Munich are working with local authorities to gather information, and are providing consular services to the family during this difficult time."

Brandon Police Service Sgt. Dallas Lockhart said last week that they have connected with authorities in Austria and Germany, with all involved opening up a clean line of communication.

"Thank you for all the love and support," Selena wrote on Facebook on Sunday afternoon, encouraging people to keep her husband in their prayers.

» tclarke@brandonsun.com

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