Mother of missing man urges search expansion, covering more ground in CT

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – The mother of an East Windsor man, who’s been missing since March after a house party in Chicopee, is voicing her concerns regarding the ongoing search for her son.

The mother is urging police to expand their search beyond western Massachusetts and into other areas of Connecticut.

She believes the more ground that is covered, the greater the chances of finding her son. 26-year-old Daniel Callahan of East Windsor has been missing since March. His mother, Jana Seiler, is determined to keep the search going and find her son matter how long it takes.

Callahan was last seen leaving a home in Chicopee, but his mother says he may be further downriver in Connecticut by now.

“What I can tell you is that my son is in that water somewhere, and I want both states to find him,” Seiler told 22News.

Callahan’s car was pulled from the Connecticut River, but no one was inside. The mother wants boats to be launched in Enfield and other parts of Connecticut. But she’s faced setbacks in getting the search to expand.

“Since Mr. Callahan’s disappearance in March, law enforcement agencies have continued active efforts to locate him. On Tuesday, the Massachusetts State Police Marine Unit was able to safely deploy divers and side-scan sonar for the first time due to the river’s dangerous current. Multiple agencies – including the State Police, local police departments, and the Sheriff’s Office – have remained consistently involved in surface and shoreline searches. We remain committed to the search and continue to keep Mr. Callahan’s family in our thoughts during this difficult time.”
Hampden County DA

“I just don’t understand,” Seiler said. “When there is someone missing in that river, there has to be a line that’s drawn between Enfield, Agawam. We’re not allowed to go there. And they’re not different jurisdiction.”

“Daniel Callahan was the subject of several searches in the Connecticut River. The State Police case is currently assigned to a Trooper on the Hampden County Detective Unit. For that reason, I would refer you to the DA’s Office for more information.”
Tim McGuirk ,Massachusetts State Police, Media Relations

22News reached out to Connecticut State Police, who said they’ve not had a formal request for resources at this time. Chicopee Police, who’ve been involved in this search, say they’re going to continue to focus on the area where Callahan was last seen.

The Chicopee Police Department told 22News that they do not have any evidence that he’s actually in Connecticut.

“That’s the problem. So to allocate the resources to expand and to kind of get without having some kind of indication that he’s in Connecticut may only be of, you know, resources that are needed,” says Chicopee Police Information Officer Travis Odiorne.

“The Massachusetts State Police are the primary investigators on this case. There has not been a formal request for any Connecticut State Police resources at this time. Please contact MSP for further information.”
Connecticut Police 

“Our Marine Patrol Unit continues to be actively involved in the search for Daniel Callahan, while also working to promote overall safety on the Connecticut River. On Tuesday, our team conducted a targeted search with the Massachusetts State Police using multiple types of sonar in the area where Daniel went missing. Unfortunately, we did not uncover any new information. We will continue to patrol the river in the coming days—both to search for Daniel and to engage with boaters about safe practices on the water. In addition, we’ll be participating in a coordinated search effort with the Western Massachusetts Regional Dive Team on July 14, focusing on the section of the river near where Daniel was last seen. Our thoughts remain with Daniel’s family, and we are committed to doing everything we can to bring them answers.”
Sheriff Nick Cocchi, Hampden County Sheriff’s Office

The Hampden County Sheriff’s Office was out on the water Tuesday, but no new evidence was uncovered. They’ll be back on the water with the Western Massachusetts Regional Dive Team on July 14.