One detective assigned in search for Y. student

PROVO — Police pulled back Monday on a search for a missing BYU student.

A detective has been assigned to the case, instead.

Jonathan Berry, 21, from Grand Junction, Colo., went missing May 31 and police started searching June 2.

On Monday, police said they found notes in Berry's apartment that indicated he might want to hurt himself, according to Provo police.

The notes also said he didn't want people searching for him.

"One of the problems that we're having right now, in the notes or letters that he left ... he indicated ... that he did not want to be found," said Provo Police Capt. Rick Healey.

Since June 2, police have searched Rock Canyon, Y. Mountain and Little Rock and Slide Canyons with helicopters, cadaver dogs, four-wheelers and search-and-rescue teams. "We feel like we've covered the area really well, and we've done so not really knowing whether he went up there or not," Healey said.

Berry's bike was found near the Provo LDS Temple Wednesday and the notes to roommates indicated he had planned to go to Rock Canyon.

"We're going to assign this to a detective to get background and find out if he's still alive, and (just) didn't want to be found," Healey said. "Frankly we're hoping that he is still alive, and that it is a poor decision on his part."