Post by mysticsnowangel on May 22, 2006 20:02:18 GMT -5
As the search for a missing 19-year-old woman who disappeared from Corvallis moves into day four, police say a pair of shoes may be the only shred of evidence they have to go on in the case.
Police say the shoes, a pair of thongs, were found at the apartment complex where Brooke Wilberger disappeared on Monday.
Captain Robert Deutsch with the Corvallis Police Department says they had hoped to keep the shoe evidence to themselves in case the finding led to something, but word has already gotten out.
"We were hoping to keep this information back because it is probably the only investigative key that we have," he told KATU News.
"It could be meaningless and it may not offer us anything, but there is virtually no evidence at the scene, so we were hoping that perhaps this would lead to something and that we could use it in questioning. The information is out, though, and we hope nothing is lost in doing that, but we can't take it back at this point."
Deutsch says the thongs were separated by a few feet and turned to the side at an angle, but admits the placement of the shoes may not mean much at all.
"It is hard to say if there was a struggle or not, but the manner in which they were left behind is certainly very suspicious," he said.
So far in the investigation, police have had very little evidence to work with, other than the fact that Brooke suddenly vanished, leaving behind personal items that made it appear she had been kidnapped.
However, police are getting hundreds of tips in the case and detectives are questioning those they believe might be inclined to kidnap a young woman, such as sex offenders who are on probation.
"We're pursuing the same mode or direction as we have for the last few days - narrowing the field of possible suspects by throwing a very broad net over mostly Linn and Benton County. We're identifying all of the predatory people - offenders, potential offenders, and sex offenders who are on probation or parole who we believe have the ability or some incentive or perhaps would do something like this," Deutsch said.
While police continue their exhaustive investigation, Brooke's family is continuing their efforts to make sure they provide the media with any information that could help find her.
Brooke's sister, Shannon Cordon, spoke with KATU News this morning and showed new pictures of the missing woman.
"We wanted to show these pictures because we just think she's absolutely beautiful, not only on the outside, but on the inside," she said.
"She's a wonderful person. She's willing to help people out. She loves kids. She volunteered and ran soccer camps and did a soccer team. She's done charity fundraisers for her high school. She's just a completely amazing person."
Police say the shoes, a pair of thongs, were found at the apartment complex where Brooke Wilberger disappeared on Monday.
Captain Robert Deutsch with the Corvallis Police Department says they had hoped to keep the shoe evidence to themselves in case the finding led to something, but word has already gotten out.
"We were hoping to keep this information back because it is probably the only investigative key that we have," he told KATU News.
"It could be meaningless and it may not offer us anything, but there is virtually no evidence at the scene, so we were hoping that perhaps this would lead to something and that we could use it in questioning. The information is out, though, and we hope nothing is lost in doing that, but we can't take it back at this point."
Deutsch says the thongs were separated by a few feet and turned to the side at an angle, but admits the placement of the shoes may not mean much at all.
"It is hard to say if there was a struggle or not, but the manner in which they were left behind is certainly very suspicious," he said.
So far in the investigation, police have had very little evidence to work with, other than the fact that Brooke suddenly vanished, leaving behind personal items that made it appear she had been kidnapped.
However, police are getting hundreds of tips in the case and detectives are questioning those they believe might be inclined to kidnap a young woman, such as sex offenders who are on probation.
"We're pursuing the same mode or direction as we have for the last few days - narrowing the field of possible suspects by throwing a very broad net over mostly Linn and Benton County. We're identifying all of the predatory people - offenders, potential offenders, and sex offenders who are on probation or parole who we believe have the ability or some incentive or perhaps would do something like this," Deutsch said.
While police continue their exhaustive investigation, Brooke's family is continuing their efforts to make sure they provide the media with any information that could help find her.
Brooke's sister, Shannon Cordon, spoke with KATU News this morning and showed new pictures of the missing woman.
"We wanted to show these pictures because we just think she's absolutely beautiful, not only on the outside, but on the inside," she said.
"She's a wonderful person. She's willing to help people out. She loves kids. She volunteered and ran soccer camps and did a soccer team. She's done charity fundraisers for her high school. She's just a completely amazing person."