Post by LadyBlue on Sept 2, 2007 0:53:12 GMT -5
MARION COUNTY, Fla. -- A search for a Marion County woman missing since April was launched Saturday in a section of the Ocala National Forest.
Christine Wiles, 39, was last seen April 21 after she missed her daughter's birthday party.
Wiles' dark-colored 1995 Chrysler New Yorker was later found abandoned at the Ocala National Forest along state Road 40.
Deputies said they found a significant amount of blood matching Wiles' DNA in the trunk of the vehicle.
Saturday, dozens of members of the Forest Service and Marion County Sheriff's Office searched for clues into Wiles' whereabouts in several acres of woods.
"Right now, we are looking for anything that will point us in the right direction," Marion County sheriff's Lt. Mark Kelly said.
The rough terrain and excessive heat made Saturday's search difficult.
"A lot of the terrain out here scrubby under brush," Forest Service worker Heather Callahan said. "It is hard to walk into."
Wiles' father, Timothy Blackburn, asked for the public's help.
"Lets find the person who did this to her," Blackburn said.
Deputies said they do not have a suspect in the case.
Anyone with information about Wiles' whereabouts is urged to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.
Christine Wiles, 39, was last seen April 21 after she missed her daughter's birthday party.
Wiles' dark-colored 1995 Chrysler New Yorker was later found abandoned at the Ocala National Forest along state Road 40.
Deputies said they found a significant amount of blood matching Wiles' DNA in the trunk of the vehicle.
Saturday, dozens of members of the Forest Service and Marion County Sheriff's Office searched for clues into Wiles' whereabouts in several acres of woods.
"Right now, we are looking for anything that will point us in the right direction," Marion County sheriff's Lt. Mark Kelly said.
The rough terrain and excessive heat made Saturday's search difficult.
"A lot of the terrain out here scrubby under brush," Forest Service worker Heather Callahan said. "It is hard to walk into."
Wiles' father, Timothy Blackburn, asked for the public's help.
"Lets find the person who did this to her," Blackburn said.
Deputies said they do not have a suspect in the case.
Anyone with information about Wiles' whereabouts is urged to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.