The family of David Bird, the Wall Street Journal reporter who disappeared from his New Jersey home in January, has set up a crowd funding site to keep themselves afloat while authorities continue to search for the missing 55-year-old.
The rough winter weather has largely stalled the search effort for Bird, an active outdoorsman who left his Long Hill Township home for a short walk on the afternoon of January 11, never to return. Jennie DeMizio, a family friend who organized the YouCaring crowd funding page, said that investigators have found no new clues as to Bird's whereabouts, though loved ones are hopeful that spring searches, which will resume once the snow thaws, will reveal more information regarding his fate.
"While David's family and friends still hold out great hope for his safe return, we recognize that the road ahead will be challenging for the Bird Family," a description on the site reads. "Friends of the Bird family have decided to set up this website to raise money to support the Bird family's needs - present and future."
The last update on Bird, who left the house without his vital liver medication, came shortly after his disappearance, when authorities discovered that his credit card had been used in Mexico. This led to speculation that his work as a senior energy journalist—specifically, his coverage of OPEC—could have been tied to his disappearance.
