CCSO Scales Back Search For A 20-Year-Old Man Missing In Oak Creek Canyon

The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has decided to transition to a limited search for missing 20-year-old Axel Brugere. The Flagstaff man was last seen in the A.B. Young Trail/East Pocket area back on May 27th. Axel went missing when he became separated from his hiking partner, John Piekarz. It is believed he became lost and is unfamiliar with the area. John assumed Axel had began his hike back to the car, but upon arrival at the vehicle, there was no sight of Axel. With no cell phone or keys to the vehicle, John slept in the restroom building for the night before hitching a ride back in Flagstaff and reporting Axel missing. Axel is a white male, standing five-feet-nine inches tall and weighs 140 pounds and has green eyes and brown hair. He was wearing red-colored shorts at the time. If anyone has seen Axel, or has information about his location is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 1-800-338-7888. Sheriff’s officials say the investigation will remain open until Brugere is found.