HICKORY, N.C. — For hours on Wednesday investigators from two local counties dove in and out of a pond, searching for any sign of a missing Hickory man.
They now suspect foul play in Ken Mohler's disappearance.
Investigators told Eyewitness News Wednesday what led them to the area.
The sheriff's office said a tip led them to the pond in the eastern part of Burke County.
Divers said the visibility was not good and there are areas of the pond nearly 15 feet deep.
Deputies and divers searched the pond near the end of Mt. Hebron Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.
Ten miles away in Hickory family members gathered at Mohler's home hoping to get answers into his disappearance.
"It has been hard on all of us. We want to find out what happened and get through it with the lords help," said sister-in-law Pam Beam.
The family posted nearly 3,000 fliers since Mohler disappeared from his job at Gregory Wood Product in Newton last August.
His truck was found still at the business and deputies said his cellphone and keys were discovered buried under some dirt nearby.
Investigators believe Mohler was possibly abducted after they found signs of a struggle.
They are releasing few details about the tip that led them to the remote pond today.
Mohler's wife wants answers in the case.
She shared a message on Wednesday for the people looking for her husband.
"I just want to thank the Catawba county sheriffs for not giving up on Ken and for still looking for him. No matter where he is at I want him brought home," said Gwen Mohler.
Late Wednesday afternoon, deputies said they did not find anything in the pond there. At this time, there is no plan to come back out.
WSOC
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