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Sister Of Missing Wright Co. Man: 'It Was Definitely Foul Play'

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - Volunteers plan to head back out first thing Sunday morning to search for the remains of a missing man from Howard Lake.

Christopher Rossing, 26, was last seen Aug. 22 at the American Legion in Howard Lake.

Investigators believe these two had something to do with his disappearance.

Last week, authorities arrested 28 year-old Robert Nuttall for kidnapping, and 32 year-old Gwen Butcher for obstructing justice.

Nearly a month after Christopher Rossing disappeared, a group of 50 volunteers set out with a grim task.

Marie Williamson was one of several on horseback Saturday, trekking up and down rural roads and along farm fields looking for Rossing's remains.

"We're looking to see if there is a shallow grave, if anything has been dug in, anything we can find," she said. "I hope we can find him, and give the family closure."

Rossing worked as a landscaper in Howard Lake.

His sister, Deanna Villella, tells us he'd been going through a hard time after a break up with his girlfriend.

She believes the night he disappeared, he was out looking for new friends when he ran into the wrong people.

"What happened to my brother was not justified in any way," she said. "It was definitely foul play."

Investigators believe Rossing and the man they arrested in connection with his disappearance, Robert Nuttall, got into a physical altercation along Highway 12 at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23.

They've also said a full-sized SUV may have been involved.

Howard Lake is a town of around 2,000 people.

Rossing's sister is pleading for someone in the small town to come forward with any information.

"Speak up, crawl out of your shell and speak up," she said. "It's a small town [and] everyone knows everything by the next cup of coffee the next morning. Why aren't people coming forward? It's the most frustrating thing the family is dealing with.

"Help us find Christopher, bring him home where he belongs."

Anyone with information on Rossing's disappearance is asked to call the Wright County Sheriff's Office, at 763-682-7637.

If you'd like to help the family with their search efforts, check out their website.

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