'He would help anyone for whatever they needed': Missing rancher's family pleads for any information

The family of a rancher who vanished in B.C.'s southern Interior more than two weeks ago is pleading for any information that may help authorities find him.

Ben Tyner, 32, was reported missing after loggers found his riderless horse, still wearing its saddle, just north of Merritt on Jan. 28.

LocalRCMP and a dozen search teams combed thesnowy backcountryabout 80 kilometres south of Kamloops for a week intemperatures as low as 20 Cbut suspended the effort on Sunday because ofthe extreme weather.

"He was just big and strong and honest as they come, just a pure soul," said brother Jack Tynerwho stoodalongside his parents, as theypleaded for anyone with information to come forward.

"He wasn't the kind of guy that would get into trouble or cause any trouble. He would help anybody for whatever they needed. That was the kind of guy my brother was."

Last week, the B.C. RCMP announced itsMajor Crimes Unit had been dispatched. A statement saidthere's no evidence to suggest foul play, but that the force wanted to cover all its bases.

Investigators will be re-interviewing witness, following up on tips and leads and potentially conducting more searches based on evidence they gather, said RCMPon Wednesday.

Tyner, who's fromWyoming, works at a cattle ranch in nearby Nicola, B.C.,and was last seen there on Jan. 26.

A police spokesperson saida truck and trailer may have transported him to the Swakum Mountain or OK Forest Service Road, and investigators are asking anyone who may have seen the vehicle or Tyneron the weekend of Jan.26 and 27to contact the MerrittRCMP detachment.

Members of Tyner's family travelled from the U.S. to the Merritt area to helpin the search, after he was reported missing.

On Wednesday, Jack Tyner said he and his parents are leaving B.C. for Wyoming where they own a cattle ranch that needs tending to.

"To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement," said mother Jennifer Tyner."To think that I will never again see his smile or hear his infectious laugh, never seehim realize his dreams, never have him wrap his arms around me again, is unthinkable."