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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Staff Photo by Leigh Prom:
Pastor Ronald Coleman leads the “service of light” Saturday evening to renew hope in the search for Heather Hodges, who has been missing since April 9. |
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
By LEIGH PROM - Staff Writer
A "service of light" with candles and prayer was conducted Saturday evening at the farmers' market to bring renewed hope and interest to the search for Heather Hodges, who has been missing since April 9.
"We are here to bring awareness. We don't want people to forget we are still looking for this young lady," said Pastor Ronald Coleman of Henry Fork Church of the Brethren.
The crowd of about 125 family members, friends and even strangers gathered to pray for the safe return of the missing Rocky Mount mother.
"We just want to find my sister," said Crystal Hodges, "whether it's good or bad, so we can have closure."
"I just wish she would walk through the door," said Paula Hodges, Heather's mother.
Referring to numerous rumors being posted on social networks about the status of the investigation, Coleman said, "Don't believe everything you hear. It will take the focus off our purpose" of finding Heather Hodges.
"We'll let you know as soon as we hear anything," Crystal Hodges said.
So far investigators have been unable to locate Heather Hodges, and leads are dwindling as the weeks pass, according to Lt. Todd Maxey with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
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.
No one has been in contact with Heather Hodges since she was last seen by her boyfriend, Paul R. "Scooter" 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.
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 still being investigated as a missing person because no evidence has been found of a crime.
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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