Gilbert Bouchard, an Edmonton Unitarian and freelance writer has been missing since Monday. Gilbert wrote the first article about the University of Alberta Atheists and Agnostics which made the Edmonton Journal in March last year. If you have any information about his whereabouts, please contact Edmonton Police.

<

Gilbert Bouchard

Photograph by: Edmonton Journal files, Supplied

EDMONTON — The search continues for Edmonton writer and broadcaster Gilbert Bouchard, who has been missing since Monday.

Edmonton police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Bouchard, a freelance writer who covers visual arts and other cultural activities for the Edmonton Journal and is a frequent contributor to CBC Radio, among other media outlets.

Police do not believe there is anything suspicious about his disappearance, but he may be depressed and there are concerns for his safety, spokeswoman Patrycia Thenu said. Anyone who has any information is asked to call police at 780-423-4567.

Fire rescue is expected to do a boat search of the North Saskatchewan River on Friday. River Valley park rangers have also been alerted, she said.

Friends and family are organizing a search for Sunday. Bouchard’s brother, Dan, said he is hoping several hundred people will come out to comb “some of his favourite haunts,” including art galleries, the university area, coffee shops and the river valley trails.

Bouchard was last seen at midnight on April 20 after leaving his south Edmonton home to go for a walk. No one has been able to contact him since.

Police also are checking on cellphone and banking activity. So far there has been none.