The week-long search for a missing man in Whitby is being scaled back, though Durham Regional Police are continuing their investigation.
At a news conference on Monday, lead investigator Det. Mitch Martin said Jeffrey Boucher "quite simply appears to have vanished."
He said police will continue their investigation but they still have "very few" leads to go on.
Boucher, 52, was reported missing last Monday, after he is believed to have left for his usual morning run, and failed to return. Boucher's cellular phone, passport and wallet were left at home.
Although no one witnessed the Bowmanville High School teacher leave his house, relatives have said he likely left at approximately 6 a.m. as part of his morning routine.
The working theory has been that Boucher may have slipped on the ice and fell into a ditch, or was hit by a car. But Martin said the likelihood that the high school teacher slipped is "becoming less realistic."
"I find it hard to believe he has fallen down while running and we haven't found him," Martin said.
Police launched a full-scale search the day after Boucher was reported missing, scouring areas where he is known to run, including a Whitby conservation area. But despite the extensive search, investigators have found no physical evidence or sightings of him.
"We are truly stumped," Martin said.
Police aren't ruling out the possibility that Boucher walked away from his life but say there are no signs that he vanished on purpose, noting that an "extensive" background search revealed nothing unusual.
Boucher is described as white, six feet tall, 180 pounds with short grey and white hair. Relatives say he is likely wearing a dark running jacket and dark pants.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-888-579-1520 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
