Kid plays too much Xbox, argues with parents, runs away. MS offers reward.

[famousringo]

This seems like strange PR to me. I'm not faulting it, I just think it's weird.

 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081025.wreward1025/BNStory/National/home

Microsoft doubles reward for missing Ontario boy

The Canadian Press

October 25, 2008 at 10:44 PM EDT

ORO-MEDONTE, Ont. — Rain, mud and chilly weather did not deter some 400 people from joining the ground search for missing Ontario boy Brandon Crisp.

The volunteers embarked Saturday on a second day of searching for the 15-year-old from Barrie, Ont., as software giant Microsoft doubled the reward money for information on his whereabouts to $50,000.

Public search organizer Charmaine Nolan, who works with Brandon's mother, said school bus loads of volunteers are scouring dense bush area and fields.

Barrie police, who are on day seven of their own search just southwest of the civilians, say no meaningful clues have turned up yet.

Sergeant Dave Goodbrand says people from Miami to British Columbia have offered assistance, including search and rescue expert Terry Grant, host of Canadian reality show Mantracker, who flew in to help.

The teen ran away from home Oct. 13 after fighting with his parents about his Microsoft Xbox game system, which they say he is addicted to. A blue-checkered jacket, tent, crackers and full bag of chips were all turned up Friday as a sprawling ground search got under way for a missing Ontario boy, but investigators aren't drawing any conclusions as to whether they're signs Brandon Crisp is still in the area.

The 15-year-old disappeared after leaving his Barrie, Ont., home Oct. 13 following an argument with his parents over his excessive use of his XBox video game system.

“I think that the ... disappearance of Brandon has hit a lot of us,” Ms. Nolan said on Friday, the first day of the public search. “Whether we actually know the family or not, it hits close to home.

Debbie Halikas, a colleague and close friend of Brandon's mother, said on Friday that those who know the family are having a rough time emotionally.

“You're numb. You have your good moments and your bad moments,” she said.

“But I'm confident that I think we might find out something this weekend.”