Sandra Gonzalez - sandra@abc26.com ABC26 News

March 8, 2010
NEW ORLEANS—
What happened to Houston business executive Douglas Schantz? His disappearance remains a mystery. The reward for solving that mystery is now up to $25,000.

NOPD has set up a 24 hour command center. They've been scouring the Quarter, since 54 year old Douglas Schantz was last seen leaving Razzoo early Friday morning, and hasn't been found since.

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The President of Sequent Energy Trading Group of Houston was in town to give financial awards to Tulane University where his daughter is also a student.

After the event he had drinks with colleagues from his company.

"A few in our group left early. Then he left and a few in our group left after that," said Sequent employee Peter Tumminello.

"There are no issues that would indicate that he had any reason to just disappear. He's got three kids, a wife, very happy person, very happy family man," said Sequent Sr. Vice President, Mark Homestead.

Police have now learned while Schantz left Razoo and made a left toward Toulouse, security video suggests he also turned right down toulouse which points to the Mississippi.

Since Bourbon and Toulouse are only a few blocks away from the river, police don't want to leave any stone unturned so they have called in the Coast Guard.

"My dad is missing. Please take this," Michael Schantz told people in the French Quarter Saturday, while he handed them fliers. Schantz, the son, came to New Orleans from North Texas to try to help find his father.

"Anything could have happened. It could have been drugs, someone could have been after him, or it could have been a fluke situation where someone thought he had money, anything could have happened,:" Schantz said.

Detectives are now looking up and down the riverfront, searching for clues to Schantz' disappearance.

If you've seen Douglas Schantz or know anything about where he may be, call Crimestoppers at 822-1111.