Teams revive search for Cleveland County man missing since January

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — Search teams were out Friday in Cleveland County searching for Sandy Canipe, 48, who disappeared in January. They set up a command post on South Post Road in Shelby.

It was a welcome sight for Robert Canipe, Sandy's father.

"This means everything in the world right now," Robert Canipe said. "It's been tough on us. Missing him, going through Thanksgiving and him not being there."

It has been a mysterious case that has frustrated law enforcement. Some in the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office called it a “personal mission” because Canipe is the father of one of the deputies.

"It (has) put a stress on local law enforcement and stress on the family as well," said Cleveland County sheriff's Captain Joel Shores.

Canipe was at a friend’s house near his home on Dryer Road in January when he decided to walk back home in the rain.

Investigators recently ruled out the possibility that Canipe left the area with a friend.

"We got information from cell phone records that his cell phone may have been used at some of these areas that we are seearching," said emergency management director Perry Davis.

Search teams went through cars at a nearby junk yard and retraced their steps. The search covered four square miles around Canipe's house.

Channel 9 has been covering this story since January, when temperatures had dropped below freezing. Searchers said back then his chance of survival was low.

There is a $10,000 reward leading to any information that will help searchers find Canipe.

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