Found Deceased KS - Father Marvin Reif, 53, Protection, 3 April 2017

[JerseyGirl]

Father Marvin Reif went missing from Protection on April 3, 2017. He walked away from Protection Valley Manor and suffers from mental illness.

Father Reif is 53 years old, is 5’8″, and weighs 265 pounds. He has blonde hair and blue eyes. Reif was last known to be wearing a blue polo shirt, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes.

https://www.hayspost.com/2017/04/05/family-searching-for-missing-sw-kansas-man/

 

[doodles1211]

Appears his mother may have passed a few days ago according to MSM. Wonder if that had any bearing on his disappearance?

 

[Dalagali]

Appears his mother may have passed a few days ago according to MSM. Wonder if that had any bearing on his disappearance?

Still missing. No updates.


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[Dalagali]

Sheriff has given up the search but the man still hasn't been found: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10154633374827857&id=343875272856&ref=content_filter

 

[Dalagali]

This man is still missing...here is his Facebook(well the one with the latest entries): https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008468761990

 

[PommyMommy]

APRIL 5, 2017 - Family in search of missing man from Protection

Family members have been putting up posters with Reif's picture on it all around Protection and in nearby towns in hopes that somebody will recognize him and call 911.

"We've been driving between here and Ashland looking in the ditches and the fields. We've searched the church just anywhere we think he could possibly be," said Winkelman.

Reif's brother, Duane said sheriff departments from multiple counties are also assisting in the search and said they're hopeful he'll be found soon.

APRIL 11, 2017 - Search continues for missing priest

His sister said their mother passed away at the end of March, and it was particularly difficult for Marvin, who has a history of depression.
"Due to his history with mental illness," said Winkelman, "this was very, very hard for him. He was not able to attend her funeral, her service."

Officials at Protection Valley Manor, Reif's nursing home, declined to speak on camera but said he went on a walk on his own, which was part of his therapy.

APRIL 13, 2017 - Search underway for missing Kansas priest

A search party of more than 100 people was out on horseback, in four-wheelers and pickup trucks Thursday morning in Protection in search of Marvin Reif, a retired priest from the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City.

The search party included friends, relatives and concerned residents from three counties: Barton, Clark, and Comanche.

 

[Mauge]

Still missing as of August 30th:

Missing in Kansas: Marvin Reif

 

[iulia]

NamUs page Missing Person Case

 

[JerseyGirl]

FF12: Latest evidence sparks hope for family of missing priest

 

[doodles1211]

There was speculation about where Marvin would go. Some believed he'd return to his childhood home in Barton County, others thought the Catholic Church was possibly hiding him. Then came an anonymous note sent to the KBI:

"Marvin Reif the resident who walked away from Protection Valley Manor is being hidden in a monastery in Texas."

The note was handwritten in all caps. It could be a hoax, but Marvin's family believes there's a chance it came from him. They showed us pages from Marvin's notebook. The handwriting doesn't appear to match.

The note is postmarked September of 2017, but Karen and Duane say they didn't know about it until they made an unrelated call to the Comanche County Sheriff months later....

FF12: Latest evidence sparks hope for family of missing priest

Wow, I can see how that would give the family hope, but more hoax-like IMO.

 

[PommyMommy]

OCT 27, 2018
Fund established for the search of Fr. Marvin Reif

A fund has been established for Father Marvin Reif by his brother and sister, Duane A. Reif and Karen Winkelman (guardians/conservators).

Marvin, now 55 years old, walked away from Protection Valley Manor, Protection, KS on April 3, 2017 and has never been found. He suffers from depression and anxiety. The fund will be used to hire a professional private investigator to help in the search for Fr. Reif, possibly offer a reward for information leading to locating him, as well as any expenses incurred in the search. There will be no financial gain by his family.

 

[perfectingpink]

Body found near town of Protection

 

[flute4peace]

Body found near town of Protection

I saw that. Hopefully some closure for someone.

 

[PommyMommy]

Body found near town of Protection

Avenue M is just a little over a mile from Protection Valley Manor. Google Maps

 

[iulia]

Remains of missing priest found near Protection

The Comanche County Sheriff’s office said human remains found in a pasture Wednesday are those of Father Marvin Reif.

 

[PommyMommy]

MAR 28, 2019
Statement from the family of Father Marvin Reif
From the Family of Father Marvin Reif

“We can never begin to thank all of those who have so faithfully searched for and prayed that our brother, Father Marvin Reif, be found. Our constant hope was that he would be found alive and well but now our hearts are completely broken knowing that he has actually been deceased for almost two years. And yet, somehow, we find peace in knowing that he is at peace.

We are so very grateful to Sheriff Mike Lehl and the Comanche County Sheriff’s Dept for the kindness they have shown us over these past two years. We also thank our own Barton County Sheriff, Brian Bellendir for his support and to Attorney Don Reif for helping us along the way. We would also like to thank the media for their support and patience over the past 24 hours.

Yes, Marvin was a wonderful Catholic priest who lived his faith daily, but more importantly, he was a son, a brother, an uncle and a friend to thousands. He was a kind, gentle and loving soul that truly cared about his family and friends.

Although this is not the ending we had hoped for, we thank God that Marvin is with his Lord, Jesus Christ, surrounded by family that has gone before him in God’s most perfect kingdom.

Marvin is home.”

 

[flute4peace]

MAR 28, 2019
Statement from the family of Father Marvin Reif
From the Family of Father Marvin Reif

“We can never begin to thank all of those who have so faithfully searched for and prayed that our brother, Father Marvin Reif, be found. Our constant hope was that he would be found alive and well but now our hearts are completely broken knowing that he has actually been deceased for almost two years. And yet, somehow, we find peace in knowing that he is at peace.

We are so very grateful to Sheriff Mike Lehl and the Comanche County Sheriff’s Dept for the kindness they have shown us over these past two years. We also thank our own Barton County Sheriff, Brian Bellendir for his support and to Attorney Don Reif for helping us along the way. We would also like to thank the media for their support and patience over the past 24 hours.

Yes, Marvin was a wonderful Catholic priest who lived his faith daily, but more importantly, he was a son, a brother, an uncle and a friend to thousands. He was a kind, gentle and loving soul that truly cared about his family and friends.

Although this is not the ending we had hoped for, we thank God that Marvin is with his Lord, Jesus Christ, surrounded by family that has gone before him in God’s most perfect kingdom.

Marvin is home.”

What a nice statement.