The wife and mother of a missing FBI agent made a public plea today for the public’s help in finding Stephen Ivens. NBC4’s Lolita Lopez reports
The wife and mother of a missing FBI agent help a press conference Wednesday in Burbank asking the public for help in finding Stephen Ivens.
"We need to know where you are. You have to come home, please just come home," said Cathy Ivens, the mother of the missing agent.
The 35-year-old has been missing from his home in the 1700 block of Scott Road in Burbank since May 10th. An avid hiker, Ivens was thought to have ventured into the nearby hills after leaving home distraught.
In an open letter sent to the media last week, his wife Thea Ivens implored the public to contact Burbank police with any information. "He would never hurt or be a risk to anyone," she wrote.
"Steve, if you are out there listening right now, your wife wants to let you know, 'Babe, we are in this together for better or for worse. I love you, no matter what happens.' Your child wants you to know, 'Daddy’s work? Daddy home?'" read the statement, referring to the couple's 1-year-old son.
"Your mother wants you to know, 'I love you, I need you and come home wherever that home is because I need you back.' Please remember that we love you, we miss you and let us know that you are O.K.," it continued.
The family created a Facebook page called "Let's Bring Steve Home."
More than 100 FBI agents, along with Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies and Burbank police officers, had combed the Verdugo Mountains for Ivens but found no sign of him.
Capt. Denis Cremins of the Burbank Police Department said that investigators had received many tips from members of the public who thought they had seen Ivens, but none had panned out. Though the mountain search has been called off, the quest to find Ivens continues, police said.
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Ivens' service weapon is missing, and authorities consider it likely the pistol is with him.
"As far as motivation, we don't know. Our main focus right now is finding him. The why's can be addressed later on," Cremins said at a Tuesday press conference. "Time is of the essence."
Authorities said Ivens was not a harm to the public, but urged anyone who spots him to contact police rather than to approach him. Burbank police can be reached at 818-238-3000.
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