Search Intensifies In Lakewood For Missing Paramedic
By Tom Mustin
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - The search continues for a paramedic who seemingly vanished several days ago. No one has heard or seen Eric Pracht since Friday night.
"It's like he disappeared. We don't know what happened," said Preety Lal, Pracht's fiancee.
She is fearing the worst after he disappeared on Friday night after a party at his home in Lakewood.
"He would never miss work. He would never let his family worry about him. Just come home," said Lal.
Monday, family and friends gathered at Hayden Park to search for the 25 year-old.
The South Park ambulance paramedic had left a party at his Lakewood condo on Friday night after a discussion about recent police shootings turned heated.
"There was an argument. It got heated. That's why he said he wanted to go walk around," Lal told CBS4's Tom Mustin.
Lal says her fiance has always been very responsible, and his disappearance doesn't make sense. He walked out of the home barefoot.
"So he just went on a walk to take a breather, cool down. He said he'd be back in a minute and he never showed," said Lal.
Detectives say Pracht had been drinking at the time. He left his car in the parking lot and seemingly disappeared.
"He left here with nothing but his wallet and a cellphone," said Randy Pracht, Eric's father.
Randy has been searching for his son since Saturday. Fellow EMT's have pitched in to help.
"We just appreciate everybody's help, their prayers and thoughts. Anything anyone can do," said Randy.
And as the desperate search continues, Eric's weary father has a message for his son.
"Eric, if you're getting this, please get a hold of us. There's a lot of people missing you."
Detectives say a call from Pracht's cellphone was detected around 5 p.m. Saturday near Green Mountain, but there is still no sign of the missing paramedic.
Right now, Lakewood police are investigating Pracht's disappearance as a missing person's case. Anyone with information about Pracht's whereabouts is asked to call the Lakewood Police Department at (303) 987-7111.
Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Connect with Tom on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @TomCBS4.
