A search was underway Thursday for a retired Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy who disappeared after going on a solo hike on the Greek island of Amorgos earlier this week.
A friend who was vacationing with Albert Calibet, 59, reported him missing after he embarked on what was expected to be a four-hour hike, according to the Los Angeles Times, which reported that Calibet hasn't been seen or heard from since.
KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian reported that Calibet was supposed to meet the friend after the hike for lunch, but he never showed. He’s visited the island several times and has local friends.
Calibet’s family and friends in Hermosa Beach are shaken up about his disappearance. Tavidian spoke to Robin Winston León, who said Calibet is like a brother to her.
“He goes to this island every year. You know, he's been going there since 2009. He's been going to Greece since the eighties,” she said. “He's not a normal 58-year-old man. He's super fit. This is a hike he does all the time.”
According to a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Calibet worked for the department's Transit Services Bureau from 1998 until his retirement in 2018 and continued working afterward as a contract employee on a part-time basis.
"A missing persons report has been filed, and the Department's Homicide Bureau is handling the case locally," the sheriff's department statement said. "Efforts to locate Deputy Calibet have extended internationally through U.S. authorities within the State Department. Greek authorities are also assisting by deploying various search and rescue teams.
Calibet has been missing for more than 60 hours. Anyone with information regarding the disappearance was urged to contact the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
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"Our thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Calibet's family and friends and our hope is that we can bring him home safely," Sheriff Robert Luna said in a statement. "We are actively collaborating with multiple agencies abroad to provide assistance in the search for Deputy Calibet and will use every resource we have available to bring him back to those who love him."
Calibet reportedly was carrying two cell phones but hasn't responded to attempts to reach him, according to news reports. His last confirmed contact was with his sister when he sent her a photo of a trail sign.
The island is remote with very few resources. Amorgos is about half the size of Catalina Island with a population of 2,000 people.
The search for Calibet comes as Greece is in the thick of a heat wave, with temperatures expected to stay in the triple digits this week for much of the central and southern parts of the country.
City News Service contributed to this story
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