Over 1800 People Volunteer June 21, 2007 in Search for Jessie Davis

On June 21, 2007, the community of Greentown in Stark County, Ohio pulled together in the search for missing Jessie Davis. Ms. Davis has been missing for over one week and due to give birth within the next few days. Stark County Law Enforcement officials have been pursuing tips in the Davis case since her disappearance was reported one week ago. According to an article on wkyc.com, an organized search was put together Wednesday evening and the search began Thursday, June 21^st at 8:30 a.m. Tim Miller, of Equusearch commented in a news conference on WKYC Channel 3 Thursday evening that at the end of the day, over 1800 people showed up from the community to search in the area around Davis's home where she was last known to be on Wednesday, June 13, 2007.

Equusearch, based in Texas, became involved in search organization Wednesday evening and helped to lead the search that took place on Thursday. The search began with volunteers organizing at 8:30 a.m. at the Greentown Fire Department. During the news conference using words such as "Remarkable" and "Overwhelming", Mr. Miller expressed his own amazement at the outpouring of volunteers that came forward to aid in the search. He covered how they hoped for at least 200 to show up to help in the search and how by late morning 1500 people were present and the day ended with approximately 1800 people involved in whatever way possible with the search. He commented on how he believed that was the most volunteers to ever show for a search at one time since he has been involved with Equusearch.

Mr. Miller founded Equusearch in 2000. Miller knows exactly what the Davis family is going through. His own daughter, Laura was abducted and murdered almost 23 years ago. During the news conference, he said he has gotten involved in the search for Jessie as he "has been on the other side of the fence".

And their main goal in their efforts with this search is to "bring her home alive". He vowed his team would exhaust all efforts and said they were there for the long haul.

Whitney Davis, younger sister of Jessie Davis also spoke at the news conference aired on WKYC Channel 3 and expressed that her family was very grateful for Mr. Miller and his group. They have been impressed by Equusearch and now consider them family during this tragic time they are going through. Whitney also spoke of how the family is holding up and handling the disappearance of her sister. She said, "The stress is overwhelming right now." It is hard to sleep or eat when she doesn't know if her sister is or not. When asked about Blake, Jessie's two-year old son, who was found home alone when Jessie's disappearance was discovered, she said he is doing "good". When asked what she would ask from the community right now, she just asked that people "continue to pray for our family and look for Jessie". Whitney Davis displayed an extreme example of loyalty and maturity and spoke well behalf of her family.

Equusearchs' involvement in the search effort includes the ability to bring in mounted horseman during searches, search dogs, sonar and a high tech plane called a drone. It's an unmanned device that takes footage of areas below and is capable of covering larger areas of territory. His crew provides volunteers information on what to look for and what to do when or if they feel they have found anything. Once Equusearch is made aware of a possible discovery, they immediately inform law enforcement officials and the scene is then taken over by them. Equusearch cooperates fully with all law enforcement and once they notify officials and they are on the scene, they continue on with the search.

Search efforts will continue again from the same location on Friday, June 22, 2007. Another huge turnout is expected. This terrible story has definitely brought this community in Stark County together and their support and efforts should be recognized. These people are scared, confused and bewildered at what has happened to Jessie Davis, most of them not even knowing her or the family but still feeling the pain the Davis family is going through and helping in overabundance.

Sources:

http://www.wkyc.com/video/player.aspx?aid=37627&bw=

http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=69976