Hilton Head, S.C. -- The lawman leading the investigation into the disappearance of an Atlanta couple expressed frustration with the pace of the probe, now into its 11th day.

"We're kind of in a holding pattern and this frustrates all," said Beaufort County Sheriff P.J Tanner at a news conference Friday morning discussing the search for John and Elizabeth Calvert, missing since March 3. "Everyone would love to have closure in this case."

AP (ENLARGE)

Dennis Ray Gerwing was found dead by suicide at a Sea Pines Villa on Tuesday.

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He said that analysis into suicide notes left by Dennis Ray Gerwing, the "person of interest" in the case, is continuing. But he declined to verify a report by The State newspaper saying that Gerwing wrote two notes saying he had stolen money from the couple. Gerwing worked for a business that managed some business operations of a marina and resort the Calverts owned.

According to The State, the Calverts met with Gerwing after Elizabeth Calvert became suspicious of business transactions that involved Gerwing.

She made notes about her concerns and discussed them with at least one other person, the newspaper reported.

Elizabeth Calvert highlighted suspicious accounts to ask Gerwing about, The State reported.

Gerwing was the last known person to have seen the couple alive, about 5:30 p.m. March 3 in Harbour Town, authorities have said.

The Calverts have a home in Atlanta's Brookhaven neighborhood and live on a yacht on Hilton Head Island.

Teams of searchers continued to comb out on the island and to other areas, as officials also hope to continue aerial searches.

"The first 24 to 48 hours of an investigation is critical," Tanner said. "When you go outside that, you create a challenge."

He said that a note left on a TV news truck earlier this week was a hoax. The note said, "This goes deeper than Dennis, stay on it. There are more involved."

Tanner said the note was written by a man who did not want the investigation to die down because of the suicide. He will not be criminally charged.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.