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(BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY BRIDGET BROWN) CAPTION Maine State Police officials including Lt. Jackie Theriault (right) continue their investigation at 146 Rutland Road in Newport on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009, where a shooting occured late Monday night. Police identified the victim as Perley Goodrich Sr., 76, and are still searching for his son Perley Goodrich Jr., who resided with his two parents, for questioning. Police officials say Goodrich is considered to be armed and dangerous and is asking anyone who has contact with him to call State Police in Orono. (Bangor Daily News/Bridget Brown) Buy Photo

NEWPORT, Maine — A manhunt for Perley Goodrich Jr. continues today, but has lost its focus on the northern Newport area after a night went by with no reports of the suspect being seen.

Goodrich is wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting death Monday night of his 76-year-old father, Perley Goodrich Sr., at the family’s 146 Rutland Road home.

“We have had no confirmed sightings on him, period,” said Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland this morning. “It is anyone’s guess where he is because of the lack of any confirmed sightings.”

Penobscot Sheriff’s deputies increased patrols in Newport during the night and responded to about a half dozen calls from residents reporting suspicious incidents or persons, but none of those calls turned out to be related to Goodrich. Police are continuing with additional patrols in the Newport area today.

Investigators believe Goodrich Jr., who is 45, fled the scene in his parents’ minivan, which was found about two hours later in a wooded area 2.5 miles from the scene of the crime. Police searched that area and others extensively Tuesday, but were unable to find him.

McCausland said law enforcement would continue a heavy patrol presence in the area today, but that Tuesday’s manhunt atmosphere would not be repeated unless someone reports seeing anything suspicious.

“He could still be in the area or he could be anywhere if he got a ride,” said McCausland.

State Police detectives continued to gather evidence from the Goodrich house today and an autopsy begin this morning at the State Medical Examiner’s Office on the body of Perley Goodrich Sr. There is no change in the condition of Sandra Goodrich, who remains hospitalized.

Anyone with information about Goodrich’s whereabouts is asked to call Maine State Police at 1-800-432-7381 or just dial 911.