Search continues for Fairfield Twp. man whose abandoned car was found at Hueston Woods

A Fairfield Twp. man has been missing for four weeks, and his family and police are asking for help in finding him.

Michael Allen McKenny, 28, loved the outdoors and often spent time at Hueston Woods State Park and Rentschler Forest, so it was not surprising his car was found parked in the Preble County side of state park. But there was no trace of McKenney.

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Fairfield Twp. police Sgt. Brandon McCroskey said McKenney was last heard from on May. 23. His car was found on May 30 by a Ohio Department of Natural Resources officer, and his cell phone and some belongings were inside.

“We are we are working together with ODNR to find Mr. McKenney and figure out what is going on,” McCroskey said. “He made it known he was very much into outdoor activities, walking, hiking, creeking, fishing, things like that. He would frequent Hueston Woods and Rentschler Park. So it was not an uncommon occurrence for him to be in one of those locations.”

McKenney has been living with his aunt in Fairfield Twp. She reported him missing on June. 1. In the report, the family said McKenney had battled drug addiction.

McCroskey said he investigation indicates drug use could be a contributing factor. And at this point nothing is pointing foul play, he said.

“We have not seen any evidence at this point, but that could change, to indicate foul play. But we are open minded about that,” he said.

McKenney has “not touched his money” or used social media, McCroskey said.

Groups have searched areas of the large state park but found no trace of McKenney. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol helped searching some areas near ravines.

“We have had so many scenarios running through our brains. We are at a loss. We just don’t know. I am afraid it is adding up to something scary,” said McKenny’s mother, Yalonda Middleton.

She added while her son did love the outdoors, he did not tell anyone he was going to Hueston Woods.

McKenney works two jobs and was scheduled to begin a third, his mother said. He has lots of friends and is outgoing.

“He would talk anyone,” Middleton said.

He had just purchased the car found at the park, she said.

“It is not like him to do something like this, he would have at least called someone by now,” Middleton said. “Things just don’t add up, if things were going well why did he just disappear and not tell anyone? There’s no trace of anything. It’s like he just disappeared.”

Anyone with information that could help find McKenney is asked to call McCroskey at 513-785-1463 or CrimeStoppers at 1-888-352-3040.

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