LAUDERDALE CO., Tenn. – The search for a Mendota man in Tennessee continues after he was reported missing by his family on March 15.

The Lauderdale County, Tenn. Sheriff’s Department informed the Mendota Police Department on March 26 that after five days of extensive searching, utilizing foot patrol, two helicopters, drones, marine units, cadaver dogs and assistance by the U.S. Coast Guard, they have been unsuccessful in locating 67-year-old Stanley B. Vodden of Mendota. The search is being done in the back waters of the Mississippi River.

Deputy Chief Clay Neuman of the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department advised that their agency will continue the search, weather permitting, for as long as they possibly can. Deputy Chief Neuman reported that rains are expected to move back into the Mississippi River basin mid-week and fears of the river flooding again are speculated.

The Mendota Police Department opened a missing persons investigation into the whereabouts of Vodden on March 15. Vodden reportedly departed Destin, Fla., on or about March 1 enroute back to his home in Mendota. Family members reported Vodden missing after he failed to return to Illinois in a timely manner.

The Vodden family further was unable to make contact with Vodden for the past 20 days and due to a number of suspicious circumstances, authorities immediately began investigating his disappearance.

The Mendota Police Department was then notified on March 22 that Vodden’s 2017 gray Kia Sportage bearing Florida registration M070KN had been located in the back flood waters of Lauderdale County, Tenn. Lauderdale County is approximately 50 miles north of Memphis, and is adjacent to the Mississippi River, which had experienced torrential flooding due to extreme rainfall.