ELKO, Nev. - Police in northeastern Nevada plan to resume their search this week for a British Columbia man who disappeared with his wife in March.
Rita Chretien, 56, was discovered by hunters in early May north of Elko, Nev., having survived nearly two months stranded in the couple's van, but there has been no sign of her 59-year-old husband, Albert.
Rita Chretien has said her husband left on foot to find help, but he never returned.
The discovery of Rita prompted a renewed search for Albert Chretien last month, but it was eventually called off as heavy snow in the Nevada backcountry made some areas impenetrable.
Lt. Marvin Morton of the Elko County Sheriff's Office says the snow has melted enough to resume the search, and a team of searchers plans to be in the area for three days beginning Thursday.
Morton says they will focus on what he describes as "hot spots," such as areas with heavy tree cover where Albert may have sought shelter, though he acknowledges police don't expect to find him alive.
Rita and Albert Chretien left their home in Penticton, B.C., on March 19, heading to a trade show in Las Vegas.
A group of hunters discovered the couple's van on May 6 on a backcountry road, where it became stuck in mud.
Rita Chretien survived 49 days in the wilderness on snow and a small amount of trail mix, and she lost about 30 pounds by the time she was found.
