Updated: Search continues for Michael Comer

WINTERGREEN - The president of the Glenmore Country Club is reportedly missing in the hills and forest around Wintergreen, the target of a day-long search Thursday.

Search and rescue teams from across the state converged on the resort community Thursdsay afternoon to comb the hiking trails and areas around the resort for Michael Comer, 45, of Charlottesville, officials said. The search was suspended around dusk.

Officials said they expect to start the search anew this morning but will also consider investigating other “areas and avenues” that may be connected with Comer’s disappearance. The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office is helping investigate.

“Two teams were searching for him overnight, but with they were contending with steep terrain and wet ground from rains earlier Wednesday the evening,” said Dana Quillen, Wintergreen spokeswoman. “Wintergreen police contacted the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and they are sent out search and rescue teams to continue the search.”

Searchers and law enforcement officials declined to comment on the search while at the site. They were unavailable for comment before press time Thursday evening.

Comer was reported missing from his second home in Wintergreen by his wife, around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, resort officials said. He had arrived at his home around noon and reportedly went for a hike.

Dozens of searchers, including search and rescue dogs, tramped through the area, which has more than 6,000 wooded acres and 30 miles of hiking trails. The search was complicated by steep terrain, rocky ground, dense woods and undergrowth.

“The trails can be pretty steep, but they’re not that difficult,” Quillen said. “The area around the trails, however, can be pretty difficult terrain.”