Sheriff seeks help finding missing man

Authorities focused searches in Kettle Moraine State Forest

The Walworth County Sheriff’s Department Aug. 12 continued to seek help from the public in finding a man who has been missing since mid-July.

Russ Delorme was last seen in the Elkhorn area on July 13, according to a press release issued by the sheriff’s office Friday morning.

His car was found in a parking lot for the Kettle Moraine State Forest on Esterly Road near Whitewater about July 15 and had not been moved since that date, officials said.

On Aug. 8, Capt. Scott McClory of the sheriff’s department issued additional information in seeking help from the media and public in locating Delorme.

McClory said, as of Friday, six separate searches had been conducted in the Kettle Moraine Forest/Ice Age Trails area nearest where Delorme’s vehicle was found with “negative results.”

“We have been greatly assisted by the WAMSTAR (Whitewater Area Mounted Search Team and Rescue) Unit, the Great Lakes Search and Rescue Team and (the) Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources,” McClory said in the email.

In a phone call Aug. 11, Roger Kincaid, chairman of WAMSTAR said the mounted search and rescue team assisted in four searches last week, covering a two-mile radius and a total of 25 square miles from where Delorme’s vehicle was found.

Kincaid said the searches conducted showed a great team effort using a variety of resources.

In an effort to help get the word out about Delorme, Kincaid said following a four-hour search Saturday morning, he and other WAMSTAR members went to businesses throughout the county with fliers.

“For us it’s about doing whatever we can to help, on our horses, on foot and driving around with fliers,” Kincaid said.

Kincaid said WAMSTAR may go out on additional searches but nothing was set as of last week.

Delorme, 48, is described as 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 174 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was officially reported missing Aug. 1.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department.

Those who would like to remain anonymous may contact Walworth County Crime Stoppers by one of the following methods:

• Text-A-Tip to “CRIMES” (274637) then start your message with tip4wc followed by your tip.

• Web/email tip: Go to www.tipsoft.com and under “For Citizens,” “Submit a Web Tip” follow the instructions on how to submit a tip to the Walworth County Crime Stoppers.

• Call (262) 723-COPS (2677).

All methods of submitting a tip are anonymous and tipsters are eligible to receive a cash reward.