PICKENS COUNTY — A Sunset man is still missing after officials from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office say he “walked away” from his parents home a week ago.

Gabriel Bradley Hein, 28, may be in need of medical care, deputies said. Hein had suffered recent episodes of paranoia and had made statements to members of his family that “he felt that people were trying to take his life.”

Hein was last seen on foot leaving his family’s home in Sunset the evening of May 31. He was described as wearing a black T-shirt, brown or tan shorts, gray colored “Croc” shoes and was in possession of a gray colored backpack.

“Members of the public are encouraged to notify local law enforcement by calling 911 if they see Mr. Hein and avoid any effort to make contact or detain him,” said PCSO Chief Deputy Creed Hashe.

Following a missing person’s report, deputies with the sheriff’s office teamed up with assistance from other county and volunteer resources to conduct a search on foot of the immediate area where Hein was last seen.

“All attempts to locate Mr. Hein have been unsuccessful,” said Hashe.

In a follow up interview on Tuesday, Hashe told The Sentinel-Progress that the department had been actively monitoring Hein’s cell phone, but that no activity had been recorded since he went missing. Additionally, the tip hotline that was put out in the days following Hein’s disappearance had failed to produce a single lead.

“They’re planning on going out there Wednesday with cadaver dogs to search the area,” he said. “Now, that doesn’t mean we’ve ruled out finding him alive — this is just another tool we have at our disposal that we’re going to put to use to try and find him.”

PCSO is also considering using low flying aircraft, but admit it’s a long shot given the dense tree foliage this time of year, Hashe said.

“We don’t have any reason to believe this was foul play,” he said. “There’s been no evidence at all that he got in an altercation with someone or that this is some kind of kidnapping. This could just be a case of a guy who wanted to get away and he took off for California or something. Either way, we’re going to do everything we can to find him.”

Gabriel Bradley Hein is described as a white male, 5 feet, 11 inches tall, weighing 200 plus pounds. He has brown hair and a brown beard.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information regarding the location of Hein to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (864) 898-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIMESC.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with other information regarding the location of Gabriel Hein to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (864) 898-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIMESC.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Hein1.jpgThe Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with other information regarding the location of Gabriel Hein to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (864) 898-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIMESC. Courtesy photos

Gabriel Hein is still missing from the Sunset community after officials from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office say he “walked away” from his parents home a week ago.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Hein2.jpgGabriel Hein is still missing from the Sunset community after officials from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office say he “walked away” from his parents home a week ago. Courtesy photos

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.