State police are renewing calls for the public’s help in the case of Michael Joseph Auteri, missing from Lewis Run since April 25, 2000.

The Facebook page PSP Tips featured Auteri’s case Friday, along with a note that a $5,000 reward is being offered for information that solves the case.

Now Lewis Run-based state police had said at the time that on April 25, 2000, Auteri’s black Toyota Celica was discovered parked in a remote location along a railroad grade near High Street Extension in Lewis Run Borough.

The car had been there for several weeks and was discovered by a High Street resident, who eventually approached the vehicle and ascertained that it belonged to Auteri. His family was contacted and his brothers went to the scene and searched the vehicle. Inside, they found what could be interpreted as a suicide note, state police said.

At the time, Auteri was wanted for questioning by Coudersport Borough Police Department for an alleged sexual assault, state police said. The area was searched by helicopter and search dogs with no result. Auteri was entered as a missing person when it was determined that he was last heard from on April 8, 2000, according to state police.

Extensive interviews were done with Auteri’s family, girlfriend, neighbors, friends and co-workers. Police learned that he grew up in the area and was familiar with the woods, that he had attempted suicide in the past and that he owned a handgun.

State police said checks with the local post office over the next year showed that he had not picked up his mail since the beginning of April 2000. Followup with his banks revealed that he had closed one of his accounts on Feb. 25, 2000, and there was no activity on his other account since November 1999.

A Missing Person flyer was generated on June 2, 2000, and displayed for the next three years, with no results. Periodic searches were done of the area over the next several years, still with no result.

Family members were also interviewed from time to time and stated that they have had no contact with Auteri.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact PSP Tips Toll Free at (800) 472-8477 or online at p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=107

All callers to PSP Tips could be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest, the solving of a crime/cold case or the location of a wanted person/fugitive or missing person.