Man didn't have to walk far to find signs of missing NJ man

LITTLETON - You will find Tom Schaetzel walking along the South Platte most days. A diabetic, he says it's a great way to keep up with his diet.

Schaetzel, who also works for Vail Resorts in Breckenridge, takes walks after work in the mountains.

Friday, was one of those days. But the 60-year-old set out with a mission.

"I was looking for clues for Michael (Barbiere), but I was also looking for anything of value. It's mud season up there now and everything is melting," he said.

Schaetzel didn't have to walk far. In fact, he walked less than a mile, found $6 by a brewery and then something else in the road.

"I kept on walking and there is a credit card on the ground, upside down - face down - on the highway," he said. "I thought, 'Well, that's strange, somebody lost their credit card there.' I flip it over and I see his name."

Michael Barbiere's name.

Schaetzel's discovery lead Breckenridge Police to what they believe is the body of the 23-year-old New Jersey man missing since February.

Police searched the area Friday, but were not able to find the body until Saturday morning.

Family members say police confirmed that the body found is Michael Barbiere.

The Summit County Coroner will perform the autopsy Thursday.

Now, Schaetzel could be eligible for the $10,000 reward.

Ultimately, he and his wife said, it's about the other mom and dad knowing what happened to their son.

"It's a miracle we found him, even this soon. I am just glad the parents didn't have to go long," said Elycia Schaetzel, Tom's wife. "I'm just so thankful that the parents now will have closure."

Schaetzels wrote the Barbieres a letter that reads in part: "I'm sorry for the loss of your son, my wife and I have six children between us and if something happens to one of them I don't know what I would do. I am the man who found your son's credit card. Your poster encouraged me to help find your son. We know that your life will not be the same without Michael and hope time will help you heal the pain."