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The search for Erik Affholter, a former wide receiver for USC and the Green Bay Packers, was called off today after authorities learned that he contacted his family and was safe.
His girlfriend reported him missing last night when he did not return home from a hike in the Simi Valley area, according to the Los Angeles Times. Volunteer searchers and Ventura County authorities searched trails in the Simi Valley and surrounding areas last night but could not find him. More volunteers and search dogs joined the effort this morning.
Affholter is 46 years old and an experienced hiker, but according to police, did not have a cellphone with him.