Finding Vaughn Flewelling is sheriff’s office top priority, sheriff says.

 By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — Finding missing business owner Vaughn Flewelling is the number one priority of deputies and detectives at the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, according to Sheriff Kim Cole. Cole said detectives have been working on the case nearly non-stop since the sheriff’s office was alerted Monday morning of the 47-year-old’s disappearance.

Vaughn Flewelling

“Our detectives worked on this case from Monday morning until 1 a.m. Tuesday and then came back at 7 a.m. and worked until late Tuesday night. They have been back at it again today,” Sheriff Cole said. “In addition to that, on Tuesday we had one deputy in the county who spent his entire shift following up on tips that we received and another who followed up on tips outside the county.”

Flewelling was last seen letting an employee out of the store at 10 p.m. Sunday. He locked the door and continued to work in the store. He failed to show up to open the store at 6 a.m. Monday and neither Flewelling nor his vehicle have been seen since.

The Sheriff said detectives were drafting search warrants to search Flewelling’s property, including electronics.

Cole said there are three scenarios the department is considering: Flewelling left on his own accord and does not want to be found; Flewelling left on his own accord and has done harm to himself; or there is a criminal element involved.

“We are looking at all of those scenarios, but the public needs to understand that there is nothing illegal about a man who decides to leave on his own accord. We have not found any criminal element at this time. However, the public needs to understand that if we do find a criminal element, we may not be able to release all of that information for Mr. Flewelling’s own protection and for pending justice.”

Cole said the sheriff’s office has received dozens of tips from the public and it is looking into each one.

“We take this case very serious. We do know that Vaughn not showing up for work and opening up his business Monday morning was out of character for him. One of the most important things we could do at this time is to find his missing vehicle.”

Flewelling is described as a 47-year-old white male, born Sept. 11, 1968, 240 pounds with hazel eyes and thinning hair. He was last known to drive a 2006 Lincoln Town Car tan/cream in color.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911.