Anchorage

Police seek Anchorage mechanic missing for 3 weeks

Anchorage police are looking for a Mountain View man last seen three weeks ago when he left his home under potentially suspicious circumstances.

Police spokeswoman Jennifer Castro said in a Thursday update on the search for 31-year-old Chanson Shells that concern exists for his well-being after investigators "have not been able to develop any leads as to his whereabouts."

"Shells was last seen leaving his Mountain View residence around 6 p.m. on Sept. 10," Castro reported. "He had told his family he was called out for a job. Police determined he had not been called out for work but did return his personal work vehicle to his employer, General Mechanical, located on King Street in South Anchorage."

Castro said in an email Thursday morning police believe Shells may have had his cellphone on him when he left his home, before his van was found at General Mechanical.

Asked if Shells' disappearance was considered suspicious, Castro said that hasn't yet been determined.

"We don't have anything to indicate at this time that something criminal has occurred," Castro wrote. "However, the possibility has not been ruled out either."

Troy Fritzel, General Mechanical's president, said Shells had been employed for about two years with the company as an HVAC service technician. No concerns or complaints about Shells had come up during his time with the company.

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Although General Mechanical didn't make a work call to Shells on the night he was last seen, Fritzel said such calls were a regular part of his job in maintaining heating, ventilating and air-conditioning equipment.

"He's a service tech, and occasionally he would respond to service calls from home," Fritzel said.

Police describe Shells, who was last seen wearing a mechanic suit, as standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 215 pounds.

Anyone with information on Shells' whereabouts should call police Det. James Estes at 907-786-8572.

Chris Klint

Chris Klint is a former ADN reporter who covered breaking news.

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