Island Authorities Search Conservation Land For Missing Man

Island authorities fanned out across conservation land on the west end of the island on Tuesday in search of a missing 56-year-old man.

Andrew Vonderwies was last seen disembarking the Steamship Authority's high-speed ferry last Friday morning at Steamboat Wharf. He was wearing a black top, dark pants, and a greenish/blueish backpack.

The Nantucket Police Department notified the island community that Vonderwies might be on Nantucket on Monday after it was contacted by the Barnstable Police Department about the missing person case it was investigating.

On Tuesday, Nantucket Police Department officers, along with Nantucket Fire Department personnel and Massachusetts State Police Troopers, spent several hours searching the Head of the Plains conservation land off Madaket Road for Vonderwies. The properties that were being searched are owned by the Nantucket Land Bank.

It is unclear what prompted authorities to search in that area, or whether they discovered anything, as Nantucket Police Department Lt. Angus MacVicar declined to comment.

Vonderwies is 5'10" and weighs approximately 180 pounds. He has short gray hair, and hazel eyes.

Anyone with information regarding Vonderwies and his whereabouts is urged to contact the Nantucket Police Department at 508-228-1212, or by email at aschwenk@police.nantucket-ma.gov. Anonymous tips can be given at crimetips@police.nantucket-ma.gov.