The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Heather Hodges |
Monday, May 14, 2012
By K.A. WAGONER - Staff Writer
After five weeks, investigators are still searching for clues in the disappearance of a Rocky Mount mother.
"We are still diligently working to find Heather Hodges," said Lt. Todd Maxey with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. "We want to bring her home to her little girl and family."
Hodges has been missing since Monday, April 9.
So far investigators have been unable to locate Hodges, and leads are dwindling as the weeks pass, Maxey said.
"If anyone has had contact with Heather Hodges, either before or after April 9, we urge you to call the sheriff's office," Maxey added.
A grid search on May 6 by the county's search and rescue team covered a half-mile radius around Hodges' home on Shady Lane, but no evidence turned up during the search, Maxey said.
Investigators only received two calls after Hodges' sister spoke at a press conference on April 23, asking for the public's help in bringing her baby sister home.
During the press conference, Crystal Hodges called her sister a dedicated mother to her 2-year-old daughter.
"That's why it is so unusual for her not to contact her family or the person keeping her daughter," Crystal Hodges said.
No one has been in contact with Heather Hodges since she was last seen by her boyfriend, Paul R. Jordan II, at the house they share on Shady Lane in Rocky Mount about 10:30 p.m. on April 9, according to Sheriff Bill Overton. Jordan reported Heather Hodges missing.
Jordan, 39, told investigators that he left the house for about 10 minutes and was unable to locate Hodges when he returned.
Overton said investigators are still in contact with Jordan and that he has been cooperative. Jordan is the only witness who saw Heather Hodges that evening, the sheriff added.
Heather Hodges did not take any of her personal belongings with her, and her vehicle is not missing, Overton said. Heather Hodges has left home in the past but not for this long and not without contacting family members, he added.
The case is being investigated as a missing person at this point, Overton said, because no evidence has been found of a crime.
"We are concerned about the unusual circumstances surrounding her disappearance," Overton said, "with her leaving so abruptly and not contacting her family."
Since Heather Hodges was reported missing, investigators have searched for her using tracking dogs and a state police helicopter. They have conducted numerous interviews with family and friends and have followed up on dozens of leads, Maxey said. The Franklin County Swift Water Rescue Team has also searched for clues along the Blackwater River.
Heather Hodges has blonde hair and blue eyes. She is 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs about 100 pounds.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the sheriff's office at 483-3000 or the anonymous crimeline at 483-6620. |
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