Still Missing After Ten Days: Police Must Re-evaluate

It has been over a week since Elaine Pierson disappeared from her home in central Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania state police, who have been hesitant to label the apparent disappearance of a local woman a missing persons case, stated yesterday that they will be reevaluating the case. The last known contact with Pierson occurred on the 27^th of December, 2006 via a phone conversation, during which Pierson exclaimed about noises outside her home. She failed to show up to a hair appointment scheduled the following day, and family members have since been unable to get in touch with her.

Multiple search parties have been conducted in the area surrounding Pierson's home in the hopes that she, avidly enjoying the outdoors, had ventured there of her own will. Two initial helicopter searches were conducted to no avail, and were thereby followed up with two search parties on foot. The first police search welcomed the assistance of about 40 volunteers, the second about 75, but neither of these parties has yielded new information as to Pierson's whereabouts.

Despite her having been missing for ten days, Pennsylvania state police have found no indication leading to criminal activity. The front door of her home, although closed, was not locked, and there is a sheer lack of evidence relating to her disappearance. This, according to a member of the Pennsylvania state police, is the reason for suspicion. There are no irregularities in her home, as all of her belongings are still in place, including her cars, her keys, and her wallet. What this means is that Pierson had no intention of being away from her home at this time, or at least for as long as she has.

Currently 48 years old, Pierson is employed as a saleswoman for the Dun & Bradstreet financial information company. She can be described as 5'5" with a medium athletic build. She has short dark hair and brown eyes.

There is a $2,000 reward for information relating to Pierson and her disappearance. Anyone who thinks they might know something of importance is asked to call the Pennsylvania State Police at (717) 567 - 3110. They welcome even the slightest tidbit, as there have been limited advancements in the case.

Statistically, 2,300 Americans are reported missing each day. This number has increased dramatically in the last 25 years to reach about 900,000 missing persons recorded yearly, with a recovering rate of slightly less than 90%. Parents of a missing child have founded a non-profit organization, Project Jason, to assist families of missing persons to ultimately find their loved ones. This organization can be found at www.projectjason.org.

(This article was created with the use of news information found at pennlive.com and whptv.com.)